CARSON CITY, N.V., FEBRUARY 6, 2025 --- Today, Nevada students join together to form the Nevada Association of Student Trustees (NAST). For far too long, Nevada students have been left out of educational governance. Despite making up 100 percent of the constituency of public schools, students make up little to no part in the decision making on our school boards. Although students have the power to submit public comments and communicate with our representatives, students deserve a full seat at the table. We have heard educational leaders time and time again echo the importance of student voice but fail to properly empower students to fight for their beliefs. Instead, many adults uphold the veneer of championing student voice, not engaging in proper conversations with the people experiencing the result of their policies every day. This does not suffice. Students across the state demand to be more than a formality. They demand a seat at the table. Nevada is at a crossroads. With the innovation in the Nevada Portrait of a Learner, Nevada must include students in the discussions in the upcoming years and decades if it is to be successful on the national and international stage. In a time when we are trying to prepare students for jobs and careers that do not yet exist, we must involve youth in shaping what is important in our educational system. In the few districts where this position exists and on the statewide level, the learning curve is steep. In most instances, the term only lasts a year. By the time many students finally understand the inner workings of their role, they are already halfway through their term. By shortening this time through training and community, we can prepare student trustees to be more effective and efficient throughout their term. Understanding these setbacks and opportunities, NAST will work on three main priorities in the upcoming months as we work through the legislative session: Support our legislative priorities through our Silver State Strategy. Create programming and training for Student Trustees in Nevada in collaboration with the National Student Board Member Association. Assist local districts with the expansion and creation of the student trustee position. Together, we can build a Nevada where educational governance is shared, intergenerational collaboration leads to improved policies, and students feel empowered to advocate for themselves as they enter their adult lives. We look forward to paving the path towards this future and hope everyone reading this will join us. # # #