- About MVLA
Superintendent's Student Advisory Council
The MVLA Student Advisory Council (MSAC) meets with the Superintendent four to six times per year to advise, provide feedback and present viable solutions on District initiatives and programs. The MSAC also acts as the advisory council to the Student Board Members.
The MVLA Student Advisory Council (MSAC) is made up of students from each high school. The council is led and facilitated by the student members of the MVLAHSD Board of Education Trustees. Representatives from each site will be selected from the student leadership groups, elected student leaders of clubs and members-at-large will be appointed by the superintendent through an application process.
Please note that MVHS and LAHS Associated Student Body Presidents, LAHS Student Community Leaders President, and MVHS Ambassadors leaders, are automatically part of the MSAC and do not need to apply.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- High school students who attend MVLAHSD high schools
- 2.5 or better GPA, preferred
- No failing grades or unsatisfactory marks on the preceding end-of-year report card
- Must be able to balance MSAC and school-related responsibilities
- Must be endorsed by the school principal; please discuss before applying online*
- Must successfully complete the application process, including a personal interview
- Must be able to serve a one-year term
- Experience in a school-based leadership position is desired but not required
DUTIES
- Attend all MSAC meetings – Approximately four to six times per year
- Act as a liaison between the Superintendent, Student Board Members and MVLAHSD students
- Share information with student constituents at the school site
- Maintain a broad understanding of District and school-related issues
- Engage in meaningful dialogue regarding students’ views of the performance and operations of MVLAHSD
PLACE AND TIME
Time: 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Location: Mountain View Los Altos High School District Board Room, 1299 Bryant Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94040
Dates: The newly established council will convene in the late Spring quarter, 2023.
Student Trustees’ role:
The student trustees (in the role of co-chairs) are ultimately responsible for working as liaisons between all the students in the district and the council in making decisions, creating a platform to account for student voice, and addressing the needs of the student body. The chairs will convene to create the agenda for each meeting prior to scheduled Board of Education meetings, disseminate the agenda for meetings and ensure that wide representation and feedback is gathered at the respective sites. After each MSAC meeting, the chairs will create and publish the monthly update. The trustees will facilitate discussion during the meetings, focusing especially when appropriate, on important decisions that the Board of Education will be making in their upcoming meeting. The Student Trustees work with their respective principal to ensure that site administration is aware of the concerns and priorities of the MSAC and their representative student body. The student trustees are ultimately responsible for working as liaisons between the MSAC and the district and for sharing the interests of the student body with the district Board to help create change.
The Co-chairs for 2023-2024: Sadie Gracon(LAHS) and Christophe Bouteille (MVHS).
Councilmember’s Role:
The members of the MSAC are required to gather input and feedback from their respective schools. They must also be focused on achieving the goals of the Board of Trustees, the District Superintendent and the respective school sites. The members meet with their principals, ASB and other student leadership groups, to share the discussions of the MSAC to strategize as to how they can help implement ideas at the school sites. If a council member is unable to attend more than three meetings in a school year, they will be asked to consider other opportunities.
Advisor’s Role:
The Advisor acts as the official adult supervisor. The advisor comes to every meeting and takes attendance. The advisor provides the viewpoint of a qualified adult and provides guidance to the MSAC when they make critical decisions. The advisor works with the student chairs to ensure meetings are scheduled and timely. The Advisor works with the Student Trustees to support and mentor their facilitation and input/feedback processes. The advisor is Michelle Bissonnette, Community Outreach Specialist.
