There will be a strong student voice around the Rainy River District School Board table in September.

For the first time, there will be three student trustees.

Education Director Heather Campbell says one will act as a voice for their Indigenous students.

“And we see their role as not only serving on the student senate but also working with our First Nation, Metis and Inuit Education Advisory committee as well and giving student voice there,” says Campbell.

Addison Brown of Rainy River High School will be the first to assume the new role and be sworn into the position in September.

She will join Isabelle Meeks of Fort Frances High School, who is in her second year as student trustee, and new trustee Bronwyn Minor from Northern Lakes K-12 School in Atikokan.

The board has long had student trustees, but the September meeting will be the first time all of its high schools will be represented at the same time.

Ontario first allowed school boards to add student representation in 1999 with the role renamed student trustee in 2007.

Boards were allowed a second student trustee in 2020 and have their terms extended to two years.

Campbell says they never had an issue attracting students.

She says many come from positions of leadership within their schools.

“It is quite a commitment. Students know that they have to not only keep up their marks, and have good attendance, but it is that extra commitment of board meetings and committee meetings. It’s a lot, but it really serves students well.”

Campbell says students do provide a lot of influence on policy decisions.

“So, their voice is really heard and very valued.”