South junior elected student member of city school board
NASHUA – Chris Crawford wants to be a voice for students – all 4,200 of them.
Crawford, a junior at Nashua High School South, was elected as the student member of the Nashua Board of Education in December. The position is responsible for representing both high schools on the board.
Crawford said one his first moves was to ask for a list of students who head up all of the clubs and organizations at his school and set up a meeting with each of them.
“I don’t know most of the people in the school,” said Crawford, 16. “I am trying to meet with every club and see what they want changed, what they think is an important issue.”
Crawford said he sees his new position as an opportunity to give students a place at the table where decisions on policy and procedure are made.
“Anything that students bring to my attention they don’t like, I’m going to bring it to the board,” he said.
The board of education has a policy that allows for a student member of the board. The position rotates between the two high schools; in 2009, it is South’s turn to have a representative.
Crawford was one of six candidates who were vetted down to two finalists by the student senate at Nashua North. The two final candidates faced off in an election at South last month, and Crawford prevailed.
He will replace Nashua North senior Nickolaus Anzalone.
Crawford is no stranger to politics. He was an active supporter of Republican presidential nominee John McCain during the campaign and attended the Republican National Convention in Minnesota this summer.
He provided daily updates from the convention for The Telegraph.
Crawford got a jump-start on his new position by attending the last school board meeting, held Dec. 22.
“They made me feel really welcome, that it’s going to be OK to speak up,” he said.
Crawford said there isn’t one particular issue that he wants to use his position to focus on. He said there is a significant amount of concern among students about a new state requirement that forces classes to be graded on a competency-based system.
Students are concerned about how the change is going to impact them, he said.
As a student member, Crawford will be able to take part in discussions at regular meetings but does not have the right to vote or take part in discussions held in nonpublic sessions that are confidential.
Even so, Crawford said he’s eager to get started. The term runs for a calendar year, beginning in January.
“It’s going to be good to get a student voice in there,” he said. “They need a fresh student perspective.”
Jack Kelley, a member of the school board, said having a student member brings a unique perspective to the board, one that helps make informed decisions.
“It’s given us a little more of an idea of what’s going on with the students,” he said.
Kelley said the board has had excellent student members since the program started in 2005.
Crawford has been in Nashua schools his whole life and said the city provides a great education. The high schools provide students with lots of opportunities, he said.
Crawford plays baseball, is president of the junior class and is a member of the school’s teenage Republicans club. He hopes to study political science and journalism in college.
Michael Brindley can be reached at 594-6426 or mbrindley@nashuatelegraph.com. take part in discussions at regular meetings but does not have the right to vote or take part in discussions held in nonpublic sessions that are confidential.
Even so, Crawford said he’s eager to get started. The term runs for a calendar year, beginning in January.
“It’s going to be good to get a student voice in there,” he said. “They need a fresh student perspective.”
Jack Kelley, a member of the school board, said having a student member brings a unique perspective to the board, one that helps make informed decisions.
“It’s given us a little more of an idea of what’s going on with the students,” he said.
Kelley said the board has had excellent student members since the program started in 2005.
Crawford has been in Nashua schools his whole life and said the city provides a great education. The high schools provide students with lots of opportunities, he said.
Crawford plays baseball, is president of the junior class and is a member of the school’s teenage Republicans club. He hopes to study political science and journalism in college.
