EDITORIAL
Student-shaped rules are wave of the future

You've got to admire 'Aiea High School Principal Michael Tokioka for placing so much confidence in student leadership.

For years, 'Aiea High has fostered an active School/Community-Based Management Council whose members include teachers, administrators, staff and community residents.

And year by year, student involvement on the council has grown to the point where one was elected president last year.

Now, for the first time, three of the council's officers are students. They run the meetings, help set policies on campus and have the authority to stop ideas they don't like.

That's a heck of a lot of clout, and it's useful.

As Tokioka points out, their involvement on the council teaches them problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration and other skills needed for success in the world.

As we all know, most teenagers have a natural aversion to adults making unilateral decisions for them. That probably won't change. But as far as school rules go, they might be more amenable if they're following guidelines that have been influenced by their peers.

We suggest other high schools encourage more student participation on their School/Community-Based Management councils.