Taylor Allderdice senior trying to get student representation on PPS Board

PITTSBURGH — A high school senior is trying to get student representation on the Pittsburgh Public School Board.

Pavel Marin, a senior at Taylor Allderdice, wants students to have a voice as the district debates some big moves.

Channel 11 spoke with Marin, who says it’s crucial to make this change before next school year.

“I’ve always thought that a student board representative position was always necessary,” Pavel said.

He said a student’s voice needs to be in place on the nine-member school board when they discuss important issues such as school building closures and the budget deficit.

“The student voice exists already within the superintendent’s office, but having this with the board the actual policy group of the district is more key,” Pavel said.

A resolution was introduced that would add a junior and senior student to the board. They would be chosen by a committee of high school principals and the superintendent.

The students wouldn’t have any voting power nor be included in executive session meetings.

“PPS is quite late when it comes to this position, I mean this is something that a lot of school districts have already implemented,” Pavel said.

We talked with a parent, who believes youth input is necessary.

“I think it’s a good idea also, for the youth and students to have a voice in what’s going on in the plans in the district,” said Audie Champan, a PPS Parent.

The school board tabled the resolution, and it’s not known when the issue will be brought back for discussion.

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