Belleville's Student Rep. Earns A Big 'Thank You' From School Board

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Last year, state lawmakers passed a bill that requires local school districts to include a student representative as a non-voting member, hoping to amplify their voices and get more youth involved in government.

And so far, that effort has been a success in Belleville, school administrators say.

On Monday, the Belleville Board of Education offered a hearty congratulations to several youth in the district, including its current student board representative, Jodi Velez.

“We always had a student representative sit up here, but this is the first time that the Legislature made it pretty clear that they wanted a liaison for the students with us every month,” Superintendent Richard Tomko said.

“We had that process this year, and moving forward it will continue,” Tomko said.

Tomko and the board presented a recognition of service to Velez for her “inspiring and exemplary leadership” (watch the video below, cued to the presentation).

“I am truly blessed and extremely grateful to have worked alongside you during my senior year, and I sit here today as a woman who has learned not only a lot about our students, but has learned a lot about our town,” Velez said.

“We can contribute,” Velez added, encouraging the next student representative to the board to “open their ears and listen.”

“We can make change throughout our town, throughout our school, and that is the way that we are going to see progress,” Velez said.

• See Related: NJ Students Get Voice On Local School Boards Under New Law

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