This bill amends various sections of the Minnesota Statutes to expand school board membership by including two student members from grades 9 to 12, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It establishes a process for selecting these student members, who must meet specific eligibility criteria such as residency and enrollment in the district. The bill allows student members to serve a maximum of two terms of two years each and grants them the ability to attend meetings, participate in discussions, and vote on board matters. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of diversity in the selection process for these student representatives.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing statutes by defining "elected members" to exclude student members and detailing the vacancy-filling process for both elected and student positions. A vacancy for a student member is defined as occurring when the student is no longer enrolled in the district. The legislation also includes provisions for training all school board members, including student members, in school finance and management. Specifically, it amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 128D.055, subdivision 1, to clarify that the board of Special School District No. 1 will consist of six elected members and two student members, thereby enhancing governance and inclusivity in the district's decision-making process.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 123B.09, 128.01, 128D.05, 128D.055