Where I Stand: Expanding Student Voice in Our School Board Meetings

By Curtis Campogni, Candidate for Pinellas County School Board, District 3 (At-Large)

In Case You Only Have a Moment:

Students can speak at school board meetings today, but too often there’s little real dialogue. I’m proposing a structured Youth Update model that brings in a rotating range of student perspectives, from classrooms to workforce programs, foster care, juvenile justice, and beyond, and creates meaningful, structured back-and-forth conversations with the board. It’s a practical way to improve decisions, build trust with families, and invest in future leaders.

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Right now, students can speak at school board meetings.

But too often, that’s where the conversation ends.

Here’s where I stand:

We should be doing more than listening to students.

We should be engaging with them in real conversations that help guide better decisions.

Moving Beyond One Student Voice

Many school districts have taken steps to include student perspectives. That’s a strong foundation.

But one voice, or even a small group, cannot fully represent the range of student experiences across a district as diverse as Pinellas County.

If we want to improve outcomes, strengthen trust, and better support students, we need a more consistent and intentional way to hear from a broader range of perspectives.

This is where I believe we can take a step forward.

A Forward-Thinking Approach to Student Engagement

As a Pinellas County School Board member, I would support expanding student voice through a Youth Update and Board Dialogue model.

This builds on what already exists, but takes it a step further by creating a consistent, structured way to engage student voice.

1. A Monthly Youth Update

Each school board meeting would include a short, dedicated segment where a student or young person shares their perspective.

Not as public comment.

Not as a one-way presentation.

But as part of the agenda.

2. A Rotating Range of Student Experiences

This approach would bring in a wider range of perspectives over time, including:

• Students currently enrolled in public schools

• Youth participating in workforce or career programs

• Student-athletes

• Students in the foster care system

• Youth involved in juvenile justice programs

• Recent graduates

The goal is simple:

To understand how different systems and experiences intersect with education in real life.

3. A Simple, Accessible Submission Process

Students would have the opportunity to raise their hand through a short submission.

This would include:

• What they want to share

• Why it matters

• The perspective they bring

This approach is similar to how regional and national conferences manage submissions, creating structure while ensuring topics align with the overall focus.

In this case, it allows board members to thoughtfully select and prepare for conversations that are both relevant and meaningful to the agenda.

At the same time, the process remains simple and accessible, so we’re hearing from a wide range of voices, not just the most polished speakers.

4. Real Dialogue, Not Just Presentation

This is the most important part.

Following the Youth Update, the board would engage in a guided conversation:

• Board members ask questions

• Students respond

• A short back-and-forth is encouraged

This isn’t about creating another opportunity to speak. It’s about making sure those voices actually shape the conversation.

5. Structured and Respectful Time

This would be a focused part of the meeting, typically within the first hour, ensuring:

• Students are respected and supported

• Time is used effectively

• Conversations remain productive

Example: What a Student Submission Could Look Like

To help structure these conversations, students could submit a short overview of their perspective.

Submission Title: Navigating School Stability While in Foster Care: What Students Need to Succeed

Topic (select up to three)

• Student Experience & Support Services

• School Stability & Attendance

• Social-Emotional Support

Student Perspective / Representation: Foster Care System (Currently in placement)

Submission Description: Students in foster care often face challenges beyond the classroom, including frequent school transitions, inconsistent support systems, and difficulty building lasting relationships with teachers and peers. These disruptions can impact attendance, academic progress, and overall well-being.

This Youth Update would provide insight into how these challenges affect day-to-day school experiences and what helps create stability. The goal is to help the board better understand where systems are working and where additional support or coordination may be needed.

The discussion would focus on practical ways schools can improve communication, provide consistent support, and create environments where students in foster care feel connected and supported.

Why I Want to Participate: I want to share my experience so that students going through similar situations can have a better experience than I did. I believe that if adults understand what it’s really like, they can make decisions that actually help.

Benefits for Students

This approach isn’t just about improving how the board receives information. It’s also an opportunity to invest in the students participating.

Through this process, students would develop real-world skills, including:

• How to think critically about their school experience

• How to organize and communicate their ideas clearly

• How to build a persuasive, experience-based argument

• How to advocate for change in a constructive way

• How to participate in a structured, professional dialogue

• How to speak confidently in a public setting

Students would also gain experience creating a simplified version of a formal proposal, a skill used in many professional settings.

Just as important, we would be using the school board platform to highlight and elevate students within the very public schools we should be proud to celebrate.

This is about more than voice.

It’s about preparing students to lead, communicate, and engage in the world beyond the classroom.

Anticipating Your Questions

Whenever we introduce a new idea, it’s important to ask the right questions.

Is this something we already do?

In some ways, yes. Students can speak at meetings today. This approach builds on that foundation by creating a more consistent and interactive way to engage their perspective.

Will this take too much time away from board business?

No. This would be a structured, time-limited segment designed to make meetings more informed, not longer.

How do we make sure students are prepared and supported?

Students would be guided ahead of time so they understand the process and feel confident participating.

Will this turn into a performance or favor certain students?

The goal is the opposite. A simple, accessible submission process ensures we hear from a broader range of voices, not just the most polished speakers.

Is it appropriate to include students from different systems?

Yes, as long as it’s done thoughtfully and with proper support. Understanding these perspectives helps us make better decisions for all students.

What if the board or another candidate adopts this idea as their own?

If it leads to better outcomes for students, then it’s a win. I’m not focused on getting credit. I’m focused on making sure we’re moving in the right direction for our kids and our community. Good ideas should be shared, built on, and improved. That’s how real progress happens.

Why This Matters

The immediate impact is clear.

We are elevating student voices and gaining insight into experiences that don’t always get enough attention.

But this is about more than that.

This is about investing in the future.

When students engage in real conversations with leadership:

• They learn how decisions are made

• They develop confidence and leadership skills

• They see how their voice can influence change

And just as important:

A system that listens to students in real time is a system that can improve in real time.

Building Trust in Public Schools

Families today have choices.

If we want families to choose public schools, we have to show them that we are:

• Listening

• Engaging

• Evolving

A school system that actively engages student voice sends a clear message:

Your experience matters here.

And when students feel heard, families feel connected. When families feel connected, trust grows.

Where I Stand

This isn’t about adding another speaker to the agenda.

It’s about building a school system that listens, engages, and improves based on real experiences.

Student voice should be more than something we hear.

It should be something we engage with.

Let’s Talk

I’m always interested in hearing different perspectives from parents, students, and educators.

What do you think?

Is this the right approach, or is there a better way to expand student voice in our schools?

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Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of Curtis Campogni, Candidate for Pinellas County School Board, District 3 (At-Large), and do not represent the official position of any organization or governing body.