Student Governance
Forming the Student Assembly/Council
Ensuring student voices are heard at board meetings has been a top priority for the Think Tank. In 2022, we developed a framework that allowed students to vote for representatives who would participate in PUSD board sessions and cast a preferential vote on agendized items. Between spring 2022 and fall 2023, we researched a structure and presented proposals to PUSD’s Board of Education (BOE). We engaged in BOE policy discussions, and by fall 2023, we began pushing for students to apply to join PUSD’s student assembly and council. The first student representatives were sworn in at PUSD’s March 2024 Board of Education meeting.
Organizing Elections
The Student Think Tank organizes elections through a student-led process that emphasizes collaboration and student voice. The planning begins months in advance, with summer interns creating a timeline that includes marketing the election, opening applications for candidates, and organizing overall election and campaigning information. The team designs posters, drafts outreach emails, and promotes the election across campuses to ensure every student is informed and encouraged to participate. Once applications close, candidates are given time to campaign before voting opens. After the new Student Assembly members are elected, they are officially sworn in during the following month.