Gary . KAPS names student to the school board

Katherine Ann Porter School, a free charter public high school that serves Wimberley and the surrounding counties, believes it may be the first school in the state of Texas to have a student on the school board.

Being the charter school, the school board and administration found a unique way for students to have their view expressed by creating a student position on the KAPS Board of Trustees. Voted into the position, as a representative of one of their own, is junior Ingram Gray.

The idea speaks to the mission of KAPS of trying to find unique was to educate students. According to their website, “KAPS students don’t always ‘fit the mold.’ Here, we embrace differences. Many of our students are gifted artists, creative thinkers, and talented musicians that love to share their stories with others.”

Although Gray is just a student, his opinions will carry weight with the KAPS trustees. He will be able to attend any committee or sub-committee meetings but will be a non-voting member. He will be able to add agenda items to board meetings, just like other board members. He was voted in the position by a majority of his fellow students. Other candidate-students for the student seat on the board included Lillian Facile, Carter Cortez, Zoe Cole and J. Freeman.

His interest in the Parent Teacher Student Organization along with being a member of the National Honor Society, the Leo Club and other organizations made him a perfect candidate.

“The position will open me up for a better understanding of the school...I’d like to represent the student body and give them a voice,” Gray said. “I’m sure I’ll learn a lot.” Gray’s parents Laura and Clark Gray have been supportive. Clark is a member of the KAPS School Board.

“Part of our mission at KAPS is an internship program and he’ll learn about the Open Meetings act, Roberts Rules of Order, and such,” Amy Crowell, KAPS’ Communications and Development Manager said.

“He can hear things in the hallways and the community which will provide stronger insight than that of adults. It is a better way for we, educators, to hear from students. It is distilling a voice of many to a voice of one that has greater impact,” KAPS Superintendent Cori Wilson said. “He’ll be the only sitting board member in the high school.”