AUGUSTA – The state Board of Education is recruiting students to serve as board members.

Earlier this year the nine-member board approved adding two seats to be filled by student representatives. The appointed students will have full board privileges and participate in all discussions but will not be voting members.

Board chairman James Carignan has invited students entering their junior or senior year to take part in a conference dealing with board-member selection. The students can be recommended by their teacher, principal or superintendent, or they can contact the board directly. The conference will take place at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, at Bates College in Lewiston.

The conference will address two basic questions: What should the criteria be for the selection of student members to serve on the state Board of Education, and what should the structure of student engagement look like to ensure that student voices influence public policy in Maine?

Students interested in attending the conference should contact Rhonda Casey, secretary to the state Board of Education, by Friday, Aug. 10, at rhonda.casey@maine.gov or 624-6616. Casey will provide directions to the site and a more detailed agenda. The conference includes lunch.