Lawmakers pass legislation proposed by Middle Tennessee students

Brendan West (second from the left) and other members of Students for Education celebrating their bill’s passage with Steven Bergman from Tennesseans for Student Success (far right) (Photo by Tennesseans for Student Success)

Students across Tennessee are about to get a larger voice in their own education.

The Tennessee House passed legislation proposed by students Wednesday that requires each school district in the state to create a policy for a student to serve as a nonvoting school board member. Just one representative voted against the bill, and it passed unanimously in the Senate earlier this month.

Some districts, including Metro Nashville Public Schools, currently have nonvoting school board members but University School of Nashville Senior Brendan West told the Tennessee Firefly that too many others do not.

West is a founder and president of the student-led organization Students for Education. The group originally proposed the legislation last year, but it failed in committee.  West says his group brought it back this year in hopes of giving young people a formal voice in education policy across Tennessee. 

“In a time where hyperpolarized politics dominate the conversation, students have consistently shown an ability to rise above the political minefield and talk about the issues that matter. By providing students with the opportunity to engage in local politics, we not only ensure that youth develop crucial leadership skills for the future, but also create an environment in which these students can act and advise now,” said West. “Tennessee leads the nation in lowest youth voter turnout. That’s why we feel this legislation is vital — to give students a voice in policy that affects them the most.” 

Before voting, members of the State House stood to applaud the work Students for Education did getting its bill through the legislative process.  It now goes to Governor Bill Lee’s desk for approval.

“This bill is brought by two local students who are taking a civic lesson and translating into a bill,” said bill sponsor Representative Sabi “Doc” Kumar, R-Springfield.