District 212 student school board members sworn in

District 212's two new student representatives were recently sworn in as members of Leyden's board of education. West Leyden senior Marco Chaidez and East Leyden senior Lejla Sadikovic are taking over for Vanessa Gallegos and Noelle Lowther, the student representatives who graduated in May.

According to school board President Gregory Ignoffo, student representatives take the same oath of office and have some of the same responsibilities as other school board members. The students are liaisons between the board and the student body, providing the board with recommendations and reporting on school activities. Although the students can't vote on board business or attend closed sessions, they are able to make suggestions, offer opinions and convey feedback from other students.

Having student representatives on the board, "is really a great opportunity for the board to hear what's going on at the two campuses." Ignoffo says.

Leyden's staff selected Chaidez and Sadikovic based on their involvement in school activities and their outstanding leadership skills.

"Student board members add the student perspective to the decision making process of the board," says Superintendent Nick Polyak. "They provide input and raise issues of importance to themselves and their classmates."

Chaidez and Sadikovic will serve a one year term on the board.

Last year marked the first time Leyden had student representatives on the board of education, a forward- thinking decision on the part of the board, Polyak notes.

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