Maryland lawmakers introduce bills expanding student school board member voting rights

Kent County’s current school board student member, Brayden Wallace, does not have voting privileges. Elected by his peers, he represents about 1,200 students countywide including nearly 700 at the high school level. But Wallace isn’t able to vote on legislation affecting Kent County Public Schools. A bill in the Maryland General Assembly would change that. HB 402, sponsored by state Del. Jay Jacobs, R – Kent, would make the student position an official member of the school board, according to Joanne Smith, Jacobs’ chief of staff.