Student Representatives added to the Washingtonville Board of Education

The Washingtonville Central School District has added student representatives at each of the Board of Education meetings for the 2024 - 2025 school year. These representatives will hold the responsibility of advocating for all the students within the district and will work closely with the Board of Education to enhance the district priority area of Student Experience. Senior Kayla Jackson and junior Lila Sinacori are the first students to be selected to hold this position.

“Student involvement in our school district has always been paramount in what we do and is at the heart of our Student Experience and Academic Excellence pillars,” said Superintendent Dr. Larry Washington. “I am looking forward to launching this and seeing the perspectives that Kayla and Lila will bring to our board meetings.”

Kayla is extremely involved in extracurricular activities at Washingtonville High School. She is the president of the Youth in Government Club, vice president of Student Coalition, a member of the Adolescence Against Drugs and Alcohol Club, and is a peer tutor, where she helps students in earth science, geometry and precalculus. Kayla is also a part of Wind Ensemble and is in the Tri-M Music Honor Society. 

Last year, Kayla received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award from the University of Rochester, an award recognizing students who have extensive involvement in extracurricular activities and possess strong leadership skills. 

When Kayla first heard about the opportunity to be a student representative for the Board of Education, she was intrigued to become involved as she is already actively involved in the district and is interested in pursuing a career in education. She hopes that this could give her the opportunity to see the administrative operations of the district and create a stronger connection between the students and the board.

During the student representative meeting with Dr. Washington, they discussed the responsibilities for the position and ideas they can bring to the board meetings. They went over the expectations and best practices to manage the position and their academics. 

“I hope that there’s more of a connection between the students and what happens on the Board of Education and how it affects them,” said Kayla. “I feel like right now, even before I had my meeting with Dr. Washington and the board representatives, I didn’t really have a great idea of what the Board of Education did and how it affected us. I hope through me and Lila being a part of the board while also being students, it’ll make a bigger connection between the two. The board makes a lot of really important decisions that do affect us, but I feel that students don’t have any idea about it.” 

The two student representatives were chosen by first being selected as a potential candidate by building administration. After a number of students were chosen as qualifying representatives, they interviewed for the position. 

Lila is a part of the swim team and runs track in the winter and spring. She is the president of her class and is involved in many other clubs, including Community Service Club, Special Olympics, Best Buddies, iDecide and Safe School Ambassadors. Lila participates in the Science Honor Society and Art Honor Society, and hopes to join the National Honor Society this year. 

Lila has received numerous academic awards through the school in various subjects including earth science, Spanish and algebra. She has also received a most improved award during her first year on varsity swim and a coaches award in track. 

She wanted to join the student representatives for the Board of Education because she thought it was a great concept to have students talk about issues they see going on in the district. 

“I thought it was a really cool idea,” said Lila. “I was nominated by my class advisors, so that made me feel good. I want them to think highly of me because I’m the president. I interviewed for it and I was really excited to make a difference in this school and have my own voice be a part of the decisions in the community.” 

Through this position, Lila hopes to gain experience working with others as she enhances her public speaking skills. Her ambitions as a student representative are to make the school a more fun environment while creating programs that include all students’ interests. 

The first Board of Education meeting executive business meeting will be on Thursday, October 17, 2024, where Kayla and Lila will be introduced and begin to share their insight to the board of education and community.