Student voice continues to have a seat at the table in Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) as six high school students begin their terms as Student Board Representatives for the 2026-27 school year.
In 2023, California legislation expanded opportunities for students to serve on local school boards, including the ability for student board members to cast votes on matters before their boards. Visalia Unified, however, has incorporated student voice on the Board for several years, providing students from across VUSD high schools with most recently having a direct opportunity to participate in Board discussions and decisions that impact their schools and community.
In addition to participating in Board meetings and voting on eligible matters, student representatives receive open-session Board agenda materials and are invited to participate in District events alongside Board members, including grand openings, community forums, and other special events. The representatives also meet monthly and participate in the Superintendent’s Advisory, a group of nearly 100 students in grades 3-12 who provide feedback and perspective on a variety of District priorities throughout the school year.
“Student voice is an important part of how we make decisions in Visalia Unified,” said Superintendent Kirk Shrum. “Our Student Board Representatives bring a unique perspective to the Board and help us better understand what students are experiencing and what is important to them. Throughout the years, these students have provided valuable insight that has shifted school priorities or contributed to policy, such as water bottle stations and how our cellphone policy is implemented.”
At the board meeting, students took their oath of office and signed this year’s student-led campaign priority poster which helps encourage students to Learn, Connect, and Care.
The 2026-27 School Board Representatives are:
- Adrian Lopez Guzman, Redwood High School
- Andrea Reyes Padilla, Golden West High School
- Berkley Towne, Sequoia High School
- Jayda Toor, El Diamante High School
- Mia Bravo, Mt. Whitney High School
- Nikomiah Rebolledo, Visalia Technical Early College High School (VTEC)
- TBD, Visalia Charter Independent School