Student Board Members
WJUSD Student Board of trustee Members
WJUSD Student Board of trustee Members![]()
WJUSD Student Board of trustee Members
In 2026, the Woodland Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees authorized the establishment of a Student Board Member position in accordance with California Education Code 35012. Additional details are outlined in Board Bylaw 9150.
Why student board members?
Why student board members?![]()
Why student board members?
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Democracy: As the saying goes, "Anything about us without us is not for us." Including students in board governance reflects our district's commitment to democratic participation at every level.
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Fairness: Students bring perspectives, knowledge, and experience to the table that no other educational partner group can provide.
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Accuracy: Having students on school boards can help ensure that adults know what is actually happening in schools right now.
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Real Learning: Participation in board governance gives students a direct, practical education in how democratic institutions function.
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Youth Development: Involving students in decisions that affect them supports their growth into engaged, capable community members.
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School Culture: Student representation influences the attitudes, policies, and structures that shape our schools for the better.
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The Bottom Line: Student input supports more informed decision-making as our district works to make WJUSD the best it can be to serve our students.
2026-2027 Student Board Member Candidates
2026-2027 Student Board Member Candidates![]()
2026-2027 Student Board Member Candidates
Check out our voter guide below to see the candidates for our student board member positions for this school year. You can also view the WJUSD Student Board Member Voter Guide here.
2026-2027 Student Board Member Election Process
2026-2027 Student Board Member Election Process![]()
Eligibility & Selection
ELIGIBILITY
Any high school senior (Class of 2027) in good standing, meeting extracurricular activity eligibility criteria as outlined in the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, enrolled in WJUSD during the 2026-27 school year may apply.
Any high school senior (Class of 2027) in good standing, meeting extracurricular activity eligibility criteria as outlined in the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, enrolled in WJUSD during the 2026-27 school year may apply.
SELECTION
Each high school (Cache Creek HS, Pioneer HS, and Woodland HS) will elect one candidate from its own student body to represent the school at board meetings. At each meeting, one of the three student board members will sit at the dais with the board, rotating which school's representative sits there from meeting to meeting.
Application Process
Students must complete an application. Please review all parts of the 2026-27 Student Board Member Candidate Application before submitting.
Be prepared to complete or upload:
- Candidate Statement: a brief description of your background and qualifications to be published in the Voter Information Guide
- Candidate Slogan: a slogan to append to your statement to be published in the Voter Information Guide
- (optional) Campaign Video: a one (1) minute video for your campaign that will be included on the voter ballot/Voter Information Guide to help students get to know you.
- Candidate Photo/Headshot
- Unofficial Transcript
Timeline
📥 Application Window: Thursday, August 13 - Monday, August 24
✅ Eligibility Review: Tuesday-Wednesday, August 26-26
🧭 Orientation for Candidates: Wednesday, August 28 at 2:30pm via Google Meet
📢 Campaign Period: Monday, August 31 - Monday, September 14
🗳️ Voting Period: Tuesday-Wednesday, September 15-16
🗣️ Results Announced: Thursday, September 17
🧑⚖️ Board Meeting Swearing In: Thursday, September 24
🧑⚖️ First Meeting at Dais: Thursday, October 8
Roles & Responsibilities
What powers does a student Board member have?
- Student Board members can provide input, represent student voices, and participate in discussions. They have an advisory vote, but their votes do not count toward board decisions.
Can a student Board member make motions?
- Yes, student Board members may make motions, which must be seconded by a regular Board member to proceed.
Are student Board members allowed to attend closed sessions?
- Student Board members cannot participate in or receive closed session materials, as they often include discussions of sensitive topics.
What kind of training is available for student Board members?
- WJUSD will send student Board members to attend the Virtual Student Board Member training provided by the California School Boards Association (CSBA).
Meetings & Participation
How often do student Board members need to attend meetings?
- The three student board members, one from each high school, will rotate seating at the dais. Student board members who are not seated at the dais for a given meeting may sit with staff.
- The three student board members as a group will meet with the Superintendent in the days leading up to each board meeting. Additionally, they will have a one on one meeting
Can student board members propose agenda items?
- Student Board members may suggest items for discussion, but approval from the Board President and Superintendent is required.
Support & Benefits
Can serving as a student Board member help with college applications?
- Yes! It demonstrates leadership, civic engagement, and a commitment to education, which can be valuable on college applications.
- Yes, they can also receive community service hours.
How can a student board member effectively represent students?
- By regularly engaging with peers, conducting surveys, attending youth advisory meetings, and ensuring student concerns are addressed in board discussions.
Is there financial compensation for participation as a student Board member?
- Yes, students will receive a small stipend for their participation and investment in representing their peers.
- Departments
- Business Services
- Fiscal Services
- Payroll
- Measure Y
- Benefits
- Learning Loss Mitigation Funding - CARES Act
- Proposed School Boundary Adjustments
- Reports
- Maintenance, Operations and Facilities
- PRE QUAL/CUPPCCA - District Contractor Pre-Qualification & CUPCCAA Registration
- Complaint Information
- Developer Fees
- Facilities Advisory Committee
- Injury and Illness Prevention Program
- Notice of Annual Contractor Prequalification Campaign
- Permanent Site Improvements Information
- PROJECTS (Inquiries: jim.helstowski@wjusd.org)
- Use of School Facilities (Facilitron)
- Integrated Pest Management Plan
- School Site Maintenance Projects
- Woodland High School Stadium Project
- Work Orders
- Transportation
- Technology Services
- Food and Nutrition Services
- Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
- Human Resources
- Educational Services
- College & Career Readiness
- Equity & Access
- Student Support Services
- Student Attendance and Welfare
- Community Schools
- Alternative Educational Options
- Health Services
- Homeless & Foster Youth Services
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Section 504 Plan
- Student Study Team (SST)
- Title IX (Non-Discrimination)
- California Healthy Kids Survey Samples 2023 - 2024
- Special Education
- State and Federal Programs
- Our Goals: Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)
- School Accountability Report Card
- School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)
- Title I
- School Site Councils
- Beamer Elementary
- Dingle Elementary
- Freeman Elementary
- Gibson Elementary
- Tafoya Elementary
- Maxwell Elementary
- Plainfield Elementary
- Spring Lake Elementary
- Whitehead Elementary
- Prairie Elementary
- Zamora Elementary
- Science & Technology Academy
- Lee Middle School
- Douglass Middle School
- Pioneer High School
- Woodland High School
- Cache Creek High School
- Teaching & Learning
- Youth Engagement
- Business Services
