Kayla Drummond, a rising senior at Parkville High School in Baltimore County, will be the first student board member with budgetary voting powers, thanks to legislation signed by its governor earlier this year.
A $2.6 billion budget that covers everything from textbooks to school vehicles has long kept one Baltimore County school board member out of budget negotiations. The student board member is the board’s youngest member, representing thousands of kids who are directly influenced by budget decisions, and is frequently chastised by some for not being old enough to hold such authority.
Drummond stated at her first meeting on Tuesday that she was ready to set an example and urge other children to do the same. According to The Baltimore Banner, she also expressed gratitude to the students who made it possible, including her predecessors, Christian Thomas and Roah Hassan.
She asserted that her perspective could serve as a reminder to the board of who they are serving.
“Our opinions, beliefs, and things should be valued, especially because we are the school system, we are the students,” the 17-year-old said. “We’re who they’re trying to cater to.”
Additionally, Baltimore City approved legislation granting students the ability to vote; the identity of the person would be determined by a vote in the upcoming fall.
Meanwhile, Republican state delegates, Ryan Nawrocki and Kathy Szeliga, disagreed with the voting power in Baltimore County. Claiming that the student is too young.
In a video, Szeliga posed the question, “Would you let a teenager vote and have control over the Baltimore Orioles?” “Of course not,” said Nawrocki. “That would be ridiculous.”
They argued that because minors under the age of 18 are unable to open bank accounts, purchase vehicles, or purchase lottery tickets, they should not be allowed to vote on a budget as large as Baltimore County’s.
Nawrocki also told The Banner that she might have a conflict of interest if the student voted on how to arrange school improvement projects and her school was one of them. Because her term is just for a year, her perspective may be limited.
Del. Eric Ebersole, a Democrat who sponsored the Baltimore County voting rights bill, replied that while some students may not be suitable candidates for such posts, they are not the ones campaigning for them.
Drummond’s accomplishments included being a cheerleader, serving on the student council, participating in the college readiness program Advancement Via Individual Determination, founding the NAACP branch at her school, and being a member of the national honor society for social studies.