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Thursday, February 22, 2001 Dialogue    IN OUR OPINION    Representing the voice of schools   The face of school boards may be changing with proposal to give students representation   If you give something to someone, you will have to give it to everyone.   That is the argument local Kentucky school boards are giving to kids who are trying to get representation and voting rights in their meetings.   It is also the argument that opponents to House Bill 58 are giving 16-year-old Cory George, the creative force behind a bill to give representation to the students on school boards.   The argument is this - if there is to be a representative for the students, then there is to be a representative for the parents.   Then, there's going to have to be a representative for the teachers, and then for the principals, and so on and so forth.   Logically, this slippery-slope argument doesn't hold any water. Sure, it would be nice (and proper) to give all of these positions equal representation. While things could be taken to extremes, some control and judgment could be exercised.   For example, most parents can run for school board and win their representation.   A principal can run after he retires.   A teacher could do the same.   A student can not run when they are in the best position to be a voice for the students: while they are in school.   All the students are asking for is equal representation on policies that affect them. Might we remind the school board that these are the people they make the policies about - the people that are most affected by and will either benefit from or will be hindered by proposals passed and defeated.   The Kernel would like to encourage the passing of House Bill 58 - and the acceptance of student representation in local school boards.   Silencing the voices of the people you control isn't in the best interest of these governing bodies. Encouraging participation is a lesson that maybe the teachers need to take from the students.   Current Headlines Dialogue

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