South Elgin High junior named first U-46 student adviser

A South Elgin High School junior has been named the first Elgin Area School District U-46 student board member.

U-46 school board members Monday night approved the nomination of Andrew Boston, the superintendent's student advisory council's top pick.

"It's a good step to see students' point of view," Boston said. "The decisions this board makes have a direct relation to us, and it would be nice to have our input."

Board members pulled the item off the consent agenda to address the selection and congratulate Boston on his appointment.

"This is a first for this board and is something we all look forward to, that (student) perspective," said school board President Ken Kaczynski. "Sometimes it is unintentionally ignored and this board doesn't think that is appropriate."

To date, seven local districts have student trustees: Batavia School District 101, Niles Township High School District 219, East Aurora District 131, Naperville District 203, Warren Township High School District 121, West Aurora School District 129 and Wheaton Warrenville District 200.

Because state law prohibits student members from voting, Boston will serve in an advisory capacity.

In addition to attending meetings, his duties will include keeping the student advisory council up-to-date on school board decisions and conveying the opinions of district students to school board members through regular reports.

The selection was the result of a three-month process. Principal advisory committees from the district's five high schools and the Gifford Street Alternative Program each submitted the names of two juniors to the superintendent's student advisory council, which then pared the nomination list down to three candidates. The top three choices were then ranked.

Boston, who is active in South Elgin High School's student government association, in the top 1 percent of his class and a member of the National Honor Society and the Pay It Forward Service Across America program, was picked over Allison Prang of Bartlett High School and Antonio Smith from Larkin High School.

Boston and board members elected at this month's election will be sworn in at the May 4 board meeting.