Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF86

Introduced
1/22/25  

Caption

A bill for an act authorizing the boards of directors of school districts to appoint student liaisons to the boards.

Impact

By allowing the appointment of student liaisons to the boards of education, SF86 aims to foster a stronger connection between students and educational administrators. This could lead to policies that are more reflective of student needs and interests, enhancing overall educational outcomes. Furthermore, the inclusion of student perspectives in board meetings may drive more engagement at the student level, promoting an ethos of participation in the school community.

Summary

Senate File 86 aims to authorize school district boards to appoint student liaisons, who would act as intermediaries between the board and the student body. This initiative seeks to enhance student representation in educational governance, ensuring that the voices of students are included in discussions regarding policies that affect their academic and extracurricular experiences. The appointment process for these liaisons would involve a selection protocol developed by the state's Department of Education to ensure fairness and consistency across districts.

Contention

There may be points of contention regarding the limitations placed on the student liaisons, such as their exclusion from discussions involving employee and student discipline, as well as their nonvoting status. Critics could argue this limits the influence of the student representatives in crucial discussions that directly impact students. Moreover, ensuring that student liaisons can effectively advocate for student views within a non-disruptive framework may pose challenges, requiring careful balancing of influence without diminishing the board's authority.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HF658

A bill for an act authorizing the boards of directors of school districts to appoint student liaisons to the boards.(Formerly HF 437.)

IA HF2609

A bill for an act authorizing the boards of directors of school districts to appoint student liaisons to the boards.(Formerly HF 2189.)

IA HF2189

A bill for an act authorizing the boards of directors of school districts to appoint student liaisons to the boards.(See HF 2609.)

IA HF437

A bill for an act requiring the boards of directors of school districts to appoint student liaisons to the boards.(See HF 658.)

IA SF258

A bill for an act providing for boards of directors of school districts to include nonvoting student representatives.

IA HF383

A bill for an act providing for boards of directors of school districts to include nonvoting student representatives.

IA HF5

A bill for an act relating to education, including requiring the boards of directors of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools to publish certain specified information, modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, and providing civil penalties.

IA SF179

A bill for an act requiring boards of directors of school districts, governing boards of charter schools, and authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies related to excusing student absences for 4-H club or future farmers of America activities.

IA SF390

A bill for an act relating to entities supported in whole or in part by public moneys, including the sale of public bonds, the duties and responsibilities of the directors and officers of school boards, school districts, the department of education, the department of health and human services, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, community colleges, institutions under the control of the state board of regents, area education agencies, election commissioners and children's residential facilities, and the membership and voting units of county and city conference boards.(Formerly SSB 1111.)

IA SF496

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in kindergarten through grade six, and modifying provisions related to student health screenings, school district library programs, the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, the department of education, the board of educational examiners, and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools, competent private instruction, and special education, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1145.) Effective date: 05/26/2023, 07/01/2023.

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