The Springfield Public Schools’ Board of Education invites interested incoming high school seniors to apply to become the 2022-2023 Student School Board Member. One incoming senior will be chosen to serve on the Springfield Public Schools’ Board during the upcoming school year.

Throughout the course of the year, the student will be expected to attend two evening board meetings and a minimum of one Superintendent’s Student Roundtable meeting, per month. Board meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of the month, with a few exceptions for holidays. The Roundtable typically meets on the first Wednesday of the month but additional meetings are usually scheduled in the late fall or early winter to facilitate planning of the group’s Unity Day event. The Student Board Member works closely with the Superintendent and her staff to facilitate the Roundtable's meetings and activities.

The Student Board Member will be given time on each Board meeting agenda to speak regarding student concerns, curriculum, and activities. He or she will be expected to develop and implement a service project over the course of the year. The Student Board Member is to act as a liaison between the students and school board, gather student concerns and celebrations in a variety of ways, and help communicate important information from the school board to the students. The Student Board Member also will receive time with the Superintendent to discuss student issues and concerns.

The Student Board Member will at all times be representing Springfield Public Schools and should act in a way that honors him/herself, the student body he/she represents, and the Springfield Public Schools as a whole.

Finalists will participate in an interview process with the School Board Members. The naming of the 2022-2023 Student Board Member will take place in May 2022.

All applicants are also welcomed to participate in the Superintendent's Student Roundtable meetings during the 2022-23 school year. Those interested in participating in the meetings are asked to contact Ms. Hammers at jhammers@sps186.org or 217/525-4406.

A student must meet the following requirements to apply for the position of Student Board Member:

• Be a high school Senior at a Springfield Public Schools’ high school during the 2022-2023 school year.
• Have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
• Submit completed application, below.
• Submit a one-page biographical sketch outlining the student’s abilities, goals, and reasons why he/she is the best choice as a Student Board Member based on questions listed on this application.
• Provide two written references from teachers, administrators, or community members.

Deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.