Florida Student School Board Member Initiative

Our Mission

To ensure that every school board in Florida includes meaningful student representation by establishing non-voting Student School Board Members. These student representatives would sit on the dais alongside elected board members, serving as a direct link between the student body and decision-makers. They bring forward the voices, needs, and lived experiences of their peers, helping to shape policies and initiatives that affect students every day. Through this work, we aim to foster more responsive, equitable, and inclusive education systems that truly reflect the perspectives of the communities they serve.

Establishing a Student Advisor to the School Board offers districts:

    • Improved Communication: Direct access to student insights.
    • Enhanced Policy Decisions: Access to real-time feedback from students allows
      for more informed decision-making.
    • Community Engagement: Demonstrating a commitment to listening to students
      can bolster community trust and support.
    • Civic Engagement: Preparing students for leadership roles through practical
      experience.

2025-2026 FL SSBMI Leadership Team

Kylie Sowers, Project Director
Rashmi Karthik, Director of Operations
Ray Garcia, Director of Communications
Mateo Cisneros, Director of Finance
Santiago Rodriguez del Valle, ‎Director of Policy & Research
Aurie-Anne Vixama, Director of People Operations
Michael Castillo, Regional Coordinator (Northwest)
Anika Kannan, Regional Coordinator  (Central West & Central)
Alexa Valverde, Regional Coordinator  (Central East, Southwest & Southeast)
Alejandro Duran, Regional ‎Coordinator ‎‎(North Central & Northeast)