Junior High Youth Board Meets with Nebo School Board of Education

r Superintendent Rick Nielsen and the Nebo School Board of Education meet with students from each of the high schools and junior high schools on a quarterly basis. Each Youth Board representative is selected by his/her principal to be a spokesperson for their school.

In January 2018, secondary director, Ann Anderson, asked the junior high school Youth Board students questions. The junior high school students first introduced themselves and named their favorite class subject with the Nebo School Board of Education. Some of the classes included: biology, band, honor classes, history, and math.

Next, the students were asked about the culture of their school. Many students mentioned that it felt like a family, something that most students want to be a part of. One student said the school seemed to have ‘clicks’. The Nebo School Board quickly asked how the student leaders could change that and make the school be more inclusive.

The most robust discussion centered around the students asking questions about the proposed middle school configuration, straight alignment patterns, a 5 x 5 class schedule compared to a 7-period class schedule, as well as the length of Christmas break.

The Nebo School Board of Education expressed that this Youth Board meeting time is valuable because they hear from the students. Past President, Rick Ainge, thanked the students for one of the most robust conversations in a Youth Board meeting.

An advantage of these group discussions for students to be heard and to learn from each other. This sharing opportunity promotes friendships between the schools in our Nebo School District that is growing about 650 students yearly with over 33,000 students this year.