Woodland 7th Grader Named To 2017-18 Student Advisory Council

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- A Bartow County middle school student has been named to the 2017-18 Student Advisory Council. State School Superintendent Richard Woods selected 142 students, including Woodland Middle School seventh-grader Addison Payne, to serve on the council tasked with providing a student perspective on education issues.

"Remember the name Addison Payne," the Bartow County School System said on its Facebook page. "One day, this Woodland Wildcat could become the next Bartow County Schools superintendent! Her seventh-grade teachers call her a natural leader, and State School Superintendent Richard Woods agrees. That's why she was one out of 142 students selected to serve on his 2017-2018 Student Advisory Council. Help us in congratulating her!"

Throughout the school year, the middle and high schools students on the Council will meet with Woods to discuss the impact state policies have on the classroom. Council members will also discuss other education-related issues, serve as Wood's ambassadors to their schools and take part in service projects to benefit their classmates and institutions.

“Every year, it is so valuable to hear directly from students through my Student Advisory Council,” Superintendent Woods said. “In the past, we have made direct changes based on student feedback, and I look forward to working with these 142 students who I know will make an impact. I’m so grateful for every student who took the time to apply and share their thoughts.”

Members were selected from a pool of more than 1,500 students who applied to serve on the council. Students were chosen based on the strength of their essay answers, which focused on their ideas for public education as well as their community service experience. The students selected attend public schools all over the state.

Meetings of the Student Advisory Council will be held Oct. 3, Jan. 16, and April 10 for middle school students and Oct. 4, Jan. 17, and April 11 for high school students. Details will be sent via email to selected students.

Photo: Addison Payne. Credit: Bartow County Schools