Outgoing student BOE rep Maggie Kritzberg
Board of Education student representative and Columbia High School senior Maggie Kritzberg concluded her second one-year term of office at the Monday Board of Education meeting. Kritzberg was lauded by Board President Wayne Eastman and given a standing ovation at the close of her monthly report.
Kritzberg will graduate from CHS this month, and will attend George Washington University in the fall. Her interest in politics and public policy, she says, connects directly to her two years of service on the Board.
“I became interested in joining the Board of Education,” explains Kritzberg, “because I wanted to do something for my school, for the community, and something where I could learn.” Kritzberg credits predecessor Jonah Wolff with “helping her along.” The role, which is non-voting, is an elected position among CHS students.
The experience says Kritzberg, has been “life-changing,” as she has learned the process of budgets, state regulations and the process of policy. “We are,” she explains, “a policy and governance board. However, we take on and the public brings to us a broad range of issues.” Students likewise bring issues to Kritzberg. “CHS students are very good at expressing themselves,” she notes. “Lots of people talked to me, shared issues, raised questions. I learned that some of these were Board issues, while others are administration questions. They were all important, though.”
Kritzberg is wistful about leaving the Board of Education. As much as she is excited about heading for Washington DC, she sometimes wishes that she “could stay one more year.” Kritzberg explains. “I see us moving in a really strong direction right now. We have a lot of people in place who are dedicated to solving problems in a positive way. I have a lot of faith in our future.”
As to all the late Monday nights spent at meetings, even when homework beckoned, Kritzberg laughs. “It feels worth it,” she explains, as she looks to a future that includes public service. As to the nature of that future service, Kritzberg isn’t telling all. “But I just may run for public office,” she hints. “I love the process of making progress happen.”
