Our Bureau
Pleasant Hill, CA
The Contra Costa County Board of Education (CCCBOE) recently announced the appointment of Ishaan Savla, a junior at Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon, as the student member of the Board for the 2024-25 school year.
Savla has been actively involved in local and statewide advocacy, serving as Governmental Affairs and Policy Director for the Bay Area at the California Association for Student Councils, an ambassador for the San Ramon Teen Council, and a class officer and member of the leadership team at Dougherty Valley High School.
“I am excited to begin this journey as a student member of the county’s Board of Education,” Savla said. “I aim to connect with special needs students and forge more sister-school partnerships where student-led clubs and organizations bridge students across the county. I want to ensure that the voices of students are present in the conversation about educational policies and priorities.”
He was selected from a pool of 35 applicants representing eight school districts and 11 high schools. His appointment reflects the Board’s commitment to including student voices in the decision-making process that affects their education and future.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ishaan to the Board,” Board President Mike Maxwell said.
As a student member of the CCCBOE, Savla will actively participate in meetings, offer insights on issues affecting students, and collaborate with other members. They 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 first meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 14, at 5 p.m.
One of 58 counties in California, Contra Costa County has the 11th largest public-school student population in the state (approximately 169,225 students).
