We the Students...

KELLOGG — A handful of students at Kellogg High School are getting a crash course in government to have a say in how things are handled at their school. 

The KHS student council has been working hard for the past few months to draft a school constitution that would provide a clear, concise set of expectations for how different aspects of the school are navigated. 

The new KHS constitution would replace a former document that has reportedly been lost to time. The goal of having a school constitution is to grant or limit the rights of students over various facets of their school. 

Under the direction of Adam Ream, teacher and adviser, the student council made an eye-opening trip to the Idaho State Student Council conference in Boise in October, where they immersed themselves in how a student council should function. It included how a school constitution is developed and what should be included in such a document. 

“While we were down there, we realized that we were only scratching the surface of what a student council should be in its school,” KHS student council member Makaila Groth said. “Creating and editing a constitution is the first step in creating a more involved and present student council."

She said the document covers things like ASB elections, class account procedures, putting a student on the staff leadership team, and expectations of students in student council.

The process hasn’t been easy. A school constitution must follow school district policy, as well as line up with the student handbook. 

At the February meeting of the Kellogg School Board, the document was discussed but ultimately tabled by the board. It requested that the council go back and adjust the document so that it lines up with district policy, as well as fix a few grammatical issues. 

“This document will give students a voice in their education and create avenues for students to improve the school where they see it needed,” Groth said.

Kellogg School Board Chairwoman Alexa Griffin said they love the idea. 

"The students want a seat at the table, when applicable, for decisions that impact them," Griffin said.

Trustee Bonnie Farmin offered to help the student council understand where they need to make amendments to their proposed document.

Farmin was in the classroom with them Tuesday, where the students began the period a little frustrated, but that changed over the following 45 minutes. 

During her question-and-answer time, Farmin explained how the school’s constitution should have a level of brevity, but should also include a section of bylaws that back up the rules that they wish to have enacted. 

Once revisions are complete, students will submit the document to the school board.