Albany, New York – Governor Kathy Hochul has signed key legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and Senator Shelley B. Mayer to require every school board and Board of Cooperative Education Services in New York State to appoint at least one student ex-officio member.

Through Woerner and Mayer’s legislation (A.9855A/S.9018A) school boards will now be required to appoint at least one student ex-officio member who may participate in all public meetings and sit with the other board members. These student members will be non-voting and will not be entitled to participate in Executive sessions or any other non-public proceedings.

Prior to this law, districts were allowed to appoint an ex-officio student member but had to seek approval from voters in their district via a referendum. This legislation simplifies the process, removing the referendum requirement and giving districts greater flexibility about how they appoint members. Further, it will expand opportunities statewide for students to participate in their school board by ensuring every district has at least one student member.

“As a former high school student School Board member, I know firsthand what a wonderful experience it was to be my school’s student representative and to be able to offer students’ perspectives on all School Board-related topics. Students are important stakeholders and I’m pleased to have partnered with Senator Mayer in ensuring they now have a place and a voice in School Boards across our state,” said Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.

Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am proud this bill to require school districts and BOCES to appoint at least one student non-voting school board member has been signed into law by Governor Hochul. Today, students navigate a myriad of challenges in their lives at home and school. Some of these challenges are familiar to those of us who were high school students decades ago. Others may not be – the impact of social media, experience of social isolation since the pandemic, or fear and anxiety about the climate crisis. This legislation will ensure that students have a seat at the table where decisions that shape their educational opportunities and experience are made and that members of the Board here and benefit from their insights as students.”

Assemblywoman Woerner continued, “I want to thank Senator Mayer for sponsoring this legislation in the Senate and Governor Kathy Hochul for signing it into law, effective July 1, 2025.”