Making a Difference for California Youth: California State PTA Student Board Member, Aarnav Verma
Tammy Herley |  Jan. 13, 2023 

A Senior at Monte Vista High, Aarnav Verma has flourished in his new role as one of two Student Board Members on the California PTA Board of Managers.

The PTA student board member serves a one-year term and is considered a fully participating member of the state board, providing the board with student views, insights, and perspectives on current issues and concerns. They are active members, accepting committee assignments, preparing articles and materials, and conducting convention workshops. At the local level, the student board members can help their peers understand the important work of our PTA units, and the operation and structure of a large, statewide, non-profit organization. 

Aarnav recently spoke at the opening of the Area 1 Board of Education forum sponsored by the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs (SRVCPTA). When we reached out to Heidi Ellicott, the current SRVCPTA President, she told us that  “the PTA leaders are all extremely proud of Aarnav’s accomplishments.” Heidi continued by saying “we know that he will make invaluable contributions in this role, and we look forward to hearing more from him throughout the year.”

Aarnav’s first meeting as a student board member took place in Ontario, California earlier this fall. During the meeting, Aarnav immersed himself in the work of the board, joining committees and learning about the goals of the Board of Managers. He especially enjoyed connecting with other members and hearing a variety of perspectives.

One of the committees he joined is the Student Involvement Committee. With his fellow student board member, he is working to lead a workshop at the annual State PTA Convention entitled “Avenues for Student Advocacy,” where they hope to teach students across the state on how to champion their beliefs in the education system.

In other areas of the board’s work, Aarnav is often asked for his input. The PTA state board initiates proposals for resolutions and position statements on various issues that the organization uses to promote advocacy and state legislative support. These proposals provide the PTA an opportunity to put the weight and support of their 750,000 members behind a resolution. These can bring impactful changes to education reforms for all students.

Most recently, Aarnav met with his committee to discuss a financial literacy position statement. The current language was last updated in 1999, so he is working with the committee to modernize the language to reflect the need for students to understand the increasingly complex and changing financial world of the 21st century. 

Earlier this year, Aarnav spoke to the California Senate Education Committee with the California Association of Student Councils, where he shared that graduates of California’s high schools have a poor state ranking in the area of financial literacy. As he spoke with us, Aarnav shared how important financial literacy education is to him. He has watched his friends and his own immigrant parents struggle with navigating financial concepts. He expressed that “the impacts of risky investments and poor financial planning can be minimized by financial literacy education”. His peers across the state share the same concerns and he hopes his work with this proposal can make a positive impact on this issue.

Throughout his student board member assignment, Aarnav has had the opportunity to contribute to the work of some other successful California bills:

California Association of Student Councils (CASC)

This organization is especially meaningful to Aarnav. CASC provides student leadership training with an ethical emphasis, hoping to develop the next generation of leaders who are grounded in a sense of compassion and a desire to make the world a better place.

AB 1867 School Facilities: Modernization Projects: Bathrooms

Schools are required to update plumbing fixtures with faucet aerators and water-conserving plumbing fixtures in all bathrooms when modernization projects are scheduled for schools. California PTA believes schools should do all they can to be water conscious and conserve our water resources. Aarnav was the primary witness at the Senate Education Committee hearing on this Bill.

AB 2417 Juvenile Youth Bill of Rights

Incarcerated youth in county facilities will be afforded the same bill of rights as provided by the state-run facilities; non-discrimination on the basis of gender; access to education; prohibition of body searches without consent; and access to adequate medical services from qualified care providers. With the transfer of oversight from the state to the county level in 2023, Aarnav worked on the AB:2417 Coalition to push the bill through the legislature, understanding that the timing of this bill was crucial. This bill passed on September 29, 2022.

In spring 2023, Aarnav will attend the California State PTA Convention, presenting his work and accomplishments with the board to a statewide audience of delegates. 

Acting as the PTA’s State Student Board Member has been a rewarding experience for Aarnav. The opportunity to draft proposals and present to state leaders has made Aarnav more confident in his abilities and has confirmed his desire to pursue policy work at a higher level after graduation.

Both the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs and SRVUSD are proud of the work that Aarnav is doing with our PTA and state leaders. We commend his heartfelt care and compassion for his peers and know he will make a positive impact for students across the state.