The KO Middle School has made adjustments to the student government in an attempt to make a more effective and involved student body.
Students who attended KO Middle School last year and years prior will remember that there was an election for the student government offices. Eighth-grade students were able to run for the positions of President, Vice President, and Treasurer. There were also elections for form representatives for each grade. Then there was an assembly where each candidate running for a position would give a speech explaining why they should be elected and share ideas about policies.
This year, instead of speeches and an election, three people from each grade that submitted applications were chosen through a lottery. Student government faculty sponsor Peter Burdge decided to give students that were not chosen in the lottery the option to join, with the goal of being more inclusive and having a wider variety of students. In addition, the student government plans to have more involvement in the student body. “Less just activities and dances, and more about the student body,” Mr. Burdge said.
One drawback is that the idea of democracy is unclear in this case, and there is no more voting experience. However, Mr. Burdge says that they are “off to an awesome and productive start!”
Niamh Foley is one of the three eighth-grade representatives. “It is very important to have student ideas with COVID,” Niamh said. “There is good and bad with the new changes.” Niamh felt that although giving speeches and running a campaign could have been a fun experience, it is good to try new things.
Aliza Rashid is one of the sixth-grade representatives. Working around COVID is a challenge, but the student government is problem-solving. “With COVID, it is harder but the goal is to make it more fun and interactive,” said Aliza. The new system may offer new voices and ideas.
Advice to anyone interested in future student government positions from Aliza is to “know what you are going to do and to be prepared”. Niamh says to just go for it since those who may be nervous about giving a speech will not have to worry about it. The new student government is off to a good, productive start to the year.
