Anne Arundel students running for a seat on the school board stressed field trips and middle school scheduling as the top issues.
“You have to have that outside, hands-on experience,” said Collin Wojciechowski, of Chesapeake High School, on the importance of field trips.
“From the students? perspective, it?s the biggest issue.”
“Field trips are a way to show students that their education applies to real life,” said Shelby Heinecke, of Annapolis High School.
Superintendent Kevin Maxwell?s decision to reduce substitutes earlier this year resulted in some planned field trips being canceled, said school system spokesman Bob Mosier.
Wojciechowski, Heinecke and Jarrett Ley, of Severna Park High School, are competing for the coveted position, the only local school board in the nation that gives students full voting rights, he said.
Regarding scheduling, middle-schoolers will study science and social studies for one semester each beginning next year, rather than year long.
Ley said he wants to keep the current year long schedule, so each subject is fresh in the minds of students year round.
“I personally feel that middle school should be a time of expanding education,” said Ley.
The Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils today at South River High School will elect the student member, who then must be appointed by the governor.
The winner will succeed this year?s member, Sage Snider, a senior at Severna Park High School.
More on the hopefuls
Wojciechowski has been his class? president for three years, is in the National Honor Society and runs track and cross country, among his many activities.
Heinecke is an National Honor Society member and is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program, a rigorous curriculum where students take advanced classes with an international element.
Ley is in the NHS, co-captain of his Mock Trial team and has acted and produced in many school plays.
