Being a member of this statewide student council enables students to ensure their voice is heard when it comes to school safety. They will learn more about the diversity of current school and student safety-related issues, develop government relations and leadership skills, and be exposed to how government agencies work together from the federal, state, and local level.  

Eligibility Requirements 

• Students must be entering grade 11 for the 2023-2024 school year.
• A completed application and nomination letter must be submitted. The application will be submitted via Microsoft Forms, while the recommendation letter should be emailed to OhioSchoolSafetyCenter@dps.ohio.gov prior to the deadline to be considered.  
• Serve a one-year term and will be required to attend monthly virtual meetings and one in-person meeting in Columbus for the annual School Safety Summit hosted during the summer months. 
• Students will have the opportunity to be involved in additional events both in-person and remotely throughout their term. 
• Council members should plan to spend 10 hours per month or more on group activities/work.

What type of activities will you be part of? 

Council members will identify concerns about safety from their peers and create local subcommittees to develop innovative solutions. Findings will be presented to the Governor’s Ohio School Safety Working Group to generate statewide solutions and supports. These findings and solutions will also be presented in an exhibit hall format at the annual school safety summit to highlight student achievements in implementing peer support programs and safety teams in their schools.  

Council members will devise ways to get students more engaged with safety in their schools and communities and will be an advocate for student wellbeing. Students will also work directly with the regional school safety liaisons from the OSSC to organize events, focus groups, and trainings in their regions to help highlight student success and safety best practices at various schools.  

These members will also act as a sounding board for the Governor’s Ohio School Safety Working Group and OSSC on student marketing campaigns and projects to ensure a student voice is represented.  

Deadline to apply is April 14, 2023 – 11:59 p.m.   

Candidates selected to move forward with the process may be asked to attend a virtual interview. The OSSC plans to announce the student council member selections by the end of May. Use the link below to download the application. Visit our website for more student information.