The Sachem school district is proposing the addition of two seats to the school board ? to be filled by students.

Officials say the class presidents from Sachem North and Sachem East high schools would serve on the board to advise members on issues involving students. Sachem superintendent Dr. Charlie Murphy says the district has been toying with the idea for years, and that previous opposition was simply apathy. He says members did not want to bother going through the process.

Ward Melville High School?s Ashley Lewis is currently serving on her district?s school board, and she says having a student on the board is helpful. She says many times board members do not understand things from a student?s perspective.

Voters in the Sachem district will decide the issue May 16. If it passes, a representative from each high school will take a seat next year. State law, however, forbids them from voting.