Fayetteville-Manlius High School senior Mirren Galway was recently sworn-in as the newest member to the F-M Board of Education — a role that the school administration hopes will bridge the gap between student and administrative concerns when making decisions that impact the district.
“I have a strong interest in public policy, especially as it relates to education,” said Galway. “I hope I can use this opportunity as a way to see what goes in to making a school successful and also to represent the student needs and opinions … I’m a little nervous, but I’m not afraid to state my opinions.”
In 2014, the board of education approved a policy that would add a non-voting student member to the board, pending voter approval. On the May 17, 2016, budget and school board elections, residents overwhelmingly voted to allow the school board to add a non-voting student member with a vote of 1,854 vote for and 397 against the proposition.
The student member will attend all public board meetings and be allowed to participate in all public discussions and voice opinions. The student member is not allowed to vote or attend executive or exempt sessions, which are portions of the meeting in which the law allows board members to discuss privately matters such as proposed, pending or current litigation.
“The board is excited to have her on the board and we think she will be a good voice for the student body,” said board president Timothy Crisafulli.
Student candidates who are able to apply for this position must be a senior who has attended the F-M school district for the past two years. They will hold the position for one year. This proposition will have to be voted on every two years by voters in order to keep it continuing.
Galway said she took interest in applying for this student board member seat after her mother saw the proposition was going to a vote, so she contacted the school administration. After it was passed, she went through an interview process and was selected by the school administration.
“We want to be able to capture the student body’s opinion, and she was the ideal candidate,” said Superintendent Craig Tice.
In addition to serving as the student board of education member, Galway is currently serving as the senior class president, is active in the school’s Model United Nations (MUN) club and is a member of the Girl Ambassador for Human Rights program at the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation.
“In MUN, I found myself looking at the problems we have in the world and seeing solutions based in education for many of these,” said Galway. “It’s something I’d like to study in college and eventually have a career in.”
