PLEASANT HILL, Calif. -- The Contra Costa County Board of Education will welcome its first-ever student members at its meeting on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Sophia Nguyen from El Cerrito High School in the West Contra Costa Unified School District and Daphne Milich from Monte Vista High School in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District were selected by the Board to represent the voices and perspectives of students in Contra Costa County.
Their selection underscores the Board of Education's commitment to fostering a more inclusive and student-focused educational system in Contra Costa County. By including student members, the board aims ensure that it hears the student perspective when decisions are made about educational policies and initiatives within the county.
“Prioritizing student voice is a priority for me and the Contra Costa County Board of Education,” Board President Consuelo Lara said. “This will give us an opportunity to embrace the perspectives and insights of the students we serve through the voice of our student members. We are eager to work alongside Sophia and Daphne, who will bring fresh ideas and valuable perspectives to the table.”
As student members, Nguyen and Milich will participate in board meetings, offer insights on issues affecting students, and collaborate with other board members to shape educational policies. They will have a preferential vote, which means they may formally express their preference on a motion before a vote by the board. Preferential votes do not count in the final numerical outcome of a motion.
The Contra Costa County Board of Education provides leadership and citizen oversight for educational programs and services operated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE).
Nguyen is a senior at El Cerrito High School and has been actively involved in the Tobacco Use Prevention Education CourAGE Youth Health Coalition and multiple youth-led coalitions that center on harm reduction procedures and substance use prevention.
"I am wholeheartedly dedicated to leveraging my voice to unite diverse communities through advocacy,” Nguyen said. “I hope to use my term on the Contra Costa County Board of Education to continue my advocacy for my community and students throughout the county.”
Daphne Milich, a senior at Monte Vista High School in Danville, brings a unique perspective to the board. She is an advocate for homeless students in Contra Costa County and serves on the Campus Culture Committee for her school.
“It’s an honor to be selected as one of the first student board members on the Contra Costa County Board of Education,” Milich said. “As I begin my term, my goal is to act as a voice for my fellow students, and to be a conduit for positive change.”
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About Contra Costa County Office of Education
One of 58 counties in California, Contra Costa County has the 11th largest public-school student population in the state (approximately 169,225 students). Officially established in 1932, CCCOE has a long history of providing direct services to some of our county's most vulnerable students, including young people who are incarcerated, homeless, or in foster care, as well as students who have severe physical or emotional challenges.
CCCOE also provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County; services that can be handled most effectively and economically on a regional basis rather than by each of the county's 260 schools or 18 school districts. These services range from budget approval and fiscal support to technology infrastructure, communication support, and high-level professional development opportunities for educators. CCCOE maintains a website at www.cocoschools.org.