Fallbrook High Student Board Representative

Chloe Shaver

Village News Intern

Damon Gallegos, Fallbrook High senior, holds the position of Student Board Representative during the high school board meetings. As student representative, Gallegos is responsible for ensuring that the school board knows the concerns and worries of students are heard by the board when voting is taking place. Additionally, Gallegos is responsible for giving reports during board meetings on current school events, such as activities and sports.

As Student Board Representative, Gallegos' vote is preferential, meaning that it does not count toward the official vote. However, the vote indicates the students' opinion on the decision being made and, if voting against the majority, Gallegos can speak on behalf of the student body to explain why the students believe the decision is not in their best interest.

Gallegos learns of student opinions through conversation, he says. "I'm currently working with Mrs. Jones, and our assistant principal, Ms. Gardiner, on improving my communication with students." As of the interview, Gallegos has been introduced at a board meeting, but has not yet given a report. Gallegos is President of the school's FFA Chapter, Secretary in ASB, President of the school newspaper, the Tomahawk, and participates in many clubs around campus. Although most students are represented, the communication system to ensure all students are represented is still being worked out.

Gallegos' reports are compared to the FHS principal, Mrs. Jones' reports, in order to ensure that there is no repetitiveness. Jones cannot change or alter Gallegos' reports, but can advise him in using time constructively to ensure that the intended message comes across and that no students are being isolated from the report.

Gallegos hopes his time on the board will help students learn more about the board and make board meetings more accessible to students, who may feel overwhelmed with the amount of planning and high-level language being used at the meetings. His plan is to create a newsletter which goes out which would allow students to send in their opinions on board decisions as well as inform the student body on what decisions are being made.

Gallegos currently provides reports on the board meeting to his ASB Leadership class and the Student Senate, a group of students picked by their teachers to go to a meeting once a month to discuss current issues on campus. These reports include what occurred at the board meeting, what decisions were made, and how those decisions will affect the campus.

As Student Board Representative, Gallegos is responsible for ensuring that communication between the board and students remains open. He also takes into account the opinions of the entire student body, and ensures that students are aware of what decisions are being made at the board level that affect them. Gallegos hopes to inspire change for the better at board meetings through voicing student opinions, and ensuring that more students feel comfortable forming their own opinions rather than following the majority voice.