Clarence Student Board of Education Member Sees Opportunity in Role

School Board Recognition Week, from October 14-18, 2024, is an opportunity to recognize school board members for their commitment to their school community. In their unpaid volunteer role, members of the Board of Education develop a shared vision and goals for the district and work diligently to ensure the district meets those goals. Serving the Clarence Central School District are President James Boglioli, Vice President Michael Fuchs along with Trustees Tricia Andrews, Adrienne Costello-Sulik, Cindy Magera, Dennis Priore, Dawn Snyder, along with student representative Olivia Collins.

Olivia took time to speak about the role and how her vantage point has given her an appreciation for the board’s work.

From her first day of school at Sheridan Hill Elementary School, to now being a senior at Clarence High School, Olivia Collins has seen the positive impacts of being a student in the Clarence Central School District. In addition to her academics, Olivia is a member of the varsity field hockey and softball teams, Student Council, the High School’s musicals and Engineering Club.

“I think the opportunities here are some you don’t get anywhere else,” she said. “The opportunity to take those classes and be a part of those clubs, it’s something that makes Clarence a great place to be in.”

Her involvement in activities across the campus and District has been an asset as she has served this year as student representative to the District’s Board of Education, where she brings a student perspective to the board’s discussions. 

“As a student, it makes us feel heard that they’re not making decisions without thinking about us,” Olivia said.

Coming into the role, Olivia said she was amazed at the board’s wide-ranging responsibilities and their interest in hearing about students. Among those was a recent Board visit to the High School, during which board members heard about different learning opportunities and student organizations.

“I’m getting to dig in deeper on what’s going on here and how complex it is thinking about how many things are going on at once,” Olivia said. “It’s not just about education, it’s about the whole community.”

Olivia is the third student to serve in the yearlong student representative role, following students Emmett Forrestel and Louis Mancuso. The inclusion of students on Clarence's Board of Education is ahead of New York legislation requiring a student presence on school boards by July 2025. 

Trustee Cindy Magera, who serves as Olivia’s mentor on the Board, said she appreciated her eagerness to embrace the role. Magara said having the student role gives her and her fellow board members a fresh outlook on their work that goes beyond their visits to schools and participation in school events.

“It allows us to hear what the students are thinking and what's going on,” she said. “It helps build the overall connection that everyone has here.”

More information about the Clarence Central School District Board of Education can be found at https://www.clarenceschools.org/boe.