Students joining education board

Kennebec Journal, June 13, 2007

(excerpt) By next January, there should be two new, young faces on the state Board of Education.

A new law authorizes the governor to appoint two Maine high school students, a junior and a senior, to the board. The student board members will serve two years and will receive all materials given other board members. They may speak freely on any matter, and they will receive an allowance and mileage reimbursement.

But they will not be allowed to vote.

Jim Carignan, board chairman, said he personally wanted to see student members have equal rights with adult board members. But he conceded he was unable to persuade a majority of his board to support giving students a vote. He hopes that situation will change, as board members realize the contribution students can make to debate and decision-making.