New District U-46 student trustee sworn in

Elgin Area School District U-46's second-ever student board member was sworn in Monday night.

Nasir Almasri, of Streamwood, was chosen by the members of Superintendent Jose Torres' Student Advisory Council advisory council after a three-month selection 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 council, which then pared the nomination list to three candidates. The top three choices were then ranked.

Almasri attends Bartlett High's Science, Engineering and High Technology academy, runs track, plays football, works as a tutor, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He also participates in the district's student advisory council, serves on Principal Kevin Skinkis's student adviser board, and is president of the school's Muslim student association.

"With the recent economic downturn and the recession affecting schools as well as school districts across America, it is quite easy to get caught up in these troubles and lose focus of what must be done," Almasri wrote in his application for the position. "... Many U-46 officials are working on that aspect of change for our district. As a student, I can aid the district in another aspect: Improving schools and student life to provide the best learning environment for everyone."

Spanish teacher Joanna Steele noted in a recommendation that Almasri possesses a strong "sense of responsibility of desire to perform well in all that he does."

Almasri replaces student board member Andrew Boston, a South Elgin High School senior. According to a district memorandum, Elgin High junior Joe Kellenberger will fill Almasri's seat if he is unable or unwilling to serve the entire term.

Boston, who began his tenure last year, was the district's first student board member. At Monday's meeting, board president Ken Kaczynski thanked Boston for his year of service. "Having a student voice at our meetings for the past year has been invaluable," said Kaczynski. "The board has watched Andrew grow into this leadership position, and we hope he learned as much from us as we learned from him."

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

In addition to attending meetings, his duties 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.

His term is effective immediately.