When discussions at a recent Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Board of Education meeting turned to cellphones in schools and artificial intelligence, board members were glad to have one of their new ex officio student board members in attendance to provide input.
That’s one example of how school board members will likely turn to students more during their decision-making processes thanks to the new statewide requirement for student school board members, Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson told local student representatives.
“I think they’re going to look to you more than you think they are,” Shepardson said.
This discussion took place as new student school board members in the Herkimer BOCES region gathered for a training on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center about what it’s like to serve on a board of education. The event was part of a statewide virtual training – with various state-level officials including New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa speaking to students and answering questions.
As of July 1, 2025, all BOCES and school districts with a high school in New York state must have at least one ex officio, non-voting, student board member. Some school districts in the Herkimer BOCES region already had student members, but now, all 10 districts do, and each district now has at least one student representative on the Herkimer BOCES Board of Education. In total, 21 local students will be participating as student board members.
Herkimer BOCES component districts will take turns sending student representatives to Herkimer BOCES Board of Education meetings, but any of the representatives are welcome to attend anytime, Shepardson said.
“You’re the start of something, and I think we’ll build as this goes,” he said.
Student representatives
Shepardson and Herkimer BOCES Director of Instructional Support Services and Adult Education Ruth Leavitt provided advice to students at the end of the event, answered questions and took suggestions from students about how to help them with participating in board meetings. Shepardson said the student input would already be making an impact because he would share their thoughts with component superintendents later in the week.
West Canada Valley senior Katie Gorinshek was the first student board member to participate in a Herkimer BOCES board meeting, when she helped the discussion on cellphones and AI at the Thursday, Sept. 11, meeting.
“It was really educational and makes you feel you’re a part of everything,” Gorinshek said. “It was very nice to feel respected and give your input.”
From attending the meeting, Gorinshek felt good knowing students’ thoughts are valued, she said. She’s happy that school boards across the state will be including student members.
“I think it’s really nice, and it’s a really great thing,” she said. “It’s really nice to have the opportunity to share not just my – but other students’ – opinions on the ever-changing education system.”
The following is a list of all the student board members in the Herkimer BOCES region for the 2025-26 school year from each school district: Fiona Stewart from Central Valley; Lillian Bladek, Hannah Rockwell and A’Niya Morrison from Dolgeville; Thomas Eck and Thomas Service from Frankfort-Schuyler; Sarah Huyck and Landon Ploss from Herkimer; Xavier Regan and Marlee Lockwood from Little Falls; Jillian Maine, London Sirko, Katie Assisi, Grace Assisi, Natalee Griffiths and Abigail Schoonover from Mount Markham; Vera Korol from Owen D. Young; Grace Grems from Poland; Morgan Marriott from Richfield Springs, and Gorinshek and Olivia Broadbent from West Canada Valley.
Virtual presentations
During the virtual portion of the event, the following presenters spoke to students live from Capital Region BOCES: Rosa, New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert Schneider, state Sen. Shelley Mayer, state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young, NYSSBA President Sandra Ruffo and Jay Worona of NYSSBA. Former student board members George-Constantinos Charonis and Luke Lippitt, who are both still actively supporting student representation, also joined virtually to talk to students.
During a panel discussion with Worona, Rosa spoke about how students can engage in meetings, listen and take the opportunity to make an impact.
Schneider told students they will help NYSSBA and school boards with their mission.
“This is a big moment for you and for us,” Schneider said.
Mayer and Woerner spoke about how important passing the state requirement was to them to get students involved with school boards.
“This is part of the experience of democracy,” Mayer said.
“I know you are going to do extremely well, and I look forward to hearing about your successes as you go forward,” Woerner said.
Young said requiring student board members isn’t just a policy change but a positive affirmation in the belief in student voices.
Listening to students elevates schools, and empowering students strengthens communities, he said.
“To our student leaders, you are here because your voice matters,” he said.
Most of the 21 ex officio student school board members in the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES region pose for a photo together during a training event on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson presents to ex officio student school board members in the Herkimer BOCES region on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center, as Herkimer BOCES Director of Instructional Support Services and Adult Education Ruth Leavitt (right) looks on and New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert Schneider (left, on screen) prepares to start the virtual presentation.
Ex officio student school board members in the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES region listen to a presentation from Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson and Herkimer BOCES Director of Instructional Support Services and Adult Education Ruth Leavitt on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Director of Instructional Support Services and Adult Education Ruth Leavitt presents to ex officio student school board members in the Herkimer BOCES region on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson poses with West Canada Valley Central School District senior Katie Gorinshek during an event for ex officio student school board members in the Herkimer BOCES region on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center. Gorinshek was the first student to participate as an ex officio member of the Herkimer BOCES Board of Education during a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Herkimer Central School District Superintendent Kathleen Carney poses with Herkimer students Sarah Huyck and Landon Ploss during an event for ex officio student school board members in the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES region on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center. Huyck will serve on the Herkimer BOCES Board of Education, and Ploss will serve on the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education.
Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District Superintendent Joseph Palmer (right) poses with Frankfort-Schuyler students Thomas Eck (left) and Thomas Service (middle) during an event for ex officio student school board members in the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES region on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center. Eck and Service will serve on the Herkimer BOCES and Frankfort-Schuyler school boards – backing each other up depending on availability.