18 Year old (H.S. Senior) Named Director of His Own School Board

[Maine-ah]

18-year-old named SAD 41 director
LaGrange senior takes another step in town politics

LaGRANGE, Maine — As SAD 41’s newest director, Brian Russell, 18, is in the unusual position of overseeing the salaries of the district’s staff, which includes his mother, Dawn Russell, and his very own instructors at Penquis Valley High School in Milo.

The high school senior, who tried for the director’s seat last year but was told then he wasn’t old enough, was appointed by LaGrange selectmen a few weeks ago after a vacancy occurred. He is the first high school student to be appointed to the 12-member board.While other students might envy his position, Russell said he didn’t seek the seat to specifically have a say in setting teacher salaries; rather, he wanted to become politically involved.

“I’ve been involved in town politics for a long time,” Russell said Monday as he took a brief break from his summer job helping maintain the town of Milo’s recreation field. He said his mother and his father, Jamie Russell, an SAD 64 teacher in Corinth, believe in community involvement. Like his late grandfather Richard Russell, who served on the first school board in the district that represents Milo, Brownville, LaGrange and Atkinson, the young man believes he can make a difference.

Charles Stevens, a Milo director, has no doubts that Russell will contribute greatly to the board. He said Russell is “very intelligent and well-spoken.” Stevens said Russell will give directors some fresh ideas of what it’s like at the school. “I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” he said of Russell’s appointment.

http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/bdn/18-year-old-named-SAD-41-director,152603

[MadHound]

1. And people wonder why there are massive problems in education, here ya go.

This is a prime example. No doubt that this kid is bright. He might even be kind, caring and understanding. But he has absolutely no background to be actually supervising and calling the shots on what that district should do. Not to mention there's a huge conflict of interest.

This goes on all over the country. I'm not talking about kids getting on the school board, but rather highly unqualified people will political agendas getting on the board and wreaking havoc. RW fundies, those who just don't want to spend money, all sorts of nutters and politically driven, agenda driven folks get on the school board and call the shots. Yet teachers get the blame when these directives from on high interfere with what goes on in the classroom and have a negative impact on student learning.

[Maine-ah]

2. he may very well be more qualified than the other applicants

it's a very small Maine town....

I would think that the conflict of interest (his Mom) would have disqualified him from this position. I could also understand being a member of the school board, but the director?

[MadHound]

3. He might be, but being a student at the school system he is supervising

Is an inherent conflict of interest. What do you think his grades are going to be now that he is on the board? Do you think that he will get the same treatment if he wasn't on the board? Mother aside, a student shouldn't be on the school board. The conflict of interests is too great.

[Javaman]

4. You forgot to yell, "get off my lawn!"

LOL :rofl:

[nilram]

10. Shrug. Michael Moore, elected to his school board at age 18.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Moore
 

[jaxx]

5. I think it's good the young man is on the school board.

Who better to know what policy brings to the schools than the students? More kids ought to get into the local boards.

[Maine-ah]

6. he's not just on the board, but he's the director.

[jaxx]

7. Yes, I read that.

The status quo on that board must be reeling about now. Shake them up a little, it'll be good for them. What they write on paper ends up in the schools...accountability is good.

[Selatius]

8. Is it also possible he got the position because of his grandfather's name?

Seems this person's grandfather was one of the first serving members on that school board when it was established. He carries with him a legacy.

[Maine-ah]

9. considering the population of LaGrange is just over 700 people

it wouldn't surprise me. However, the school district encompasses four towns.

Atkinson has about 300
Brownville just over 1200
Milo just over 2k

either there was no interest in the position or it was all in his name.