CCSD Delegates Give Student Perspective on Issues
Twenty years ago, as
CCSD’s enrollment rapidly
grew in both numbers and
diversity, the School Board
knew it needed a better way
to hear the student’s voice.
Based on a shared goal
of wanting to hear and truly
listen to their students and
let their viewpoints influence
governance and
leadership, the School
Board began its Student
Advisor to the School
Board Program.
The initial program
included one Student
Advisor, a high school
senior selected based on
outstanding academic
performance, school and
community involvement,
and interest in service and
leadership. The role
rotated among CCSD’s high
schools each year. The
program proved successful,
giving School Board members
and Superintendent
greater insight into the
views of students and
greater access, as the
Student Advisor attended
all School Board meetings
and participated in Superintendent
Ad Hoc Committees.
Following its early
success, the School Board
10 years ago expanded the
program to also include a
Student Delegate from each
high school – again, an
exceptional senior who
would represent their class
and school with great
thought and care. The role
of Student Advisor then
became a rotating honor,
16 CLASS ACT | 2021-2022
which moved from high
school to high school; in
addition to being the lead
representative, the Student
Advisor sits on the dais
with the School Board
during the meetings, with
the Student Delegates in
the audience front row.
Since the program’s
inception, the Student
Advisor and Delegates have
been called upon by School
Board members to weigh in
on issues, sometimes
contentious, that would
affect their education and
overall student experience.
Their opinions have been
influential for School Board
members over the years on
issues such as revising
senior capstone project
expectations, determining
graduation ceremony
location, increasing school
safety and security, and setting
CCSD’s new longrange
strategic plan.
“Hearing firsthand
from our current students
about how our policymaking
will impact their education
is invaluable to us as
elected leaders, and no
initiative serves us better in
this regard than our Student
Advisor and Student
Delegates to the School
Board program,” School
Board Chair Kyla Cromer
said.
In 2018, School Board
members asked how the
Student Advisor and
Delegates could play an
even greater role in their
governance. This question
led to the launch of strategic
The 2020-21 Student Advisor and Delegates completed their service
in May. A new slate of delegates will begin attending School
Board meetings in August. The 2020-21 Student Advisor was
Jordyn Hardaway of Sequoyah HS; delegates were: Lexie-Anne
Rodkey of Cherokee HS; Brinn Dameron of Creekview HS; Analise
Black of Etowah HS; Simran Patel of River Ridge HS; and Connor
Gray of Woodstock HS.
work sessions designed
specifically for these student
leaders. The Student
Advisor and Delegates now
meet regularly with the
Superintendent’s senior
staff to share their feedback
on new CCSD initiatives
and other important topics
expected to come before
the School Board. The
students also have open
forum time at each work
session to bring up issues
for discussion.
The experience is mutually
beneficial, according to
past Student Advisors and
Delegates, who have shared
that their newfound understanding
of education,
government and effective
leadership has made a
positive difference in their
own lives. Many have used
the tenure as the basis of
their senior capstone
project and college application
essays, and some have
said it strongly influenced
their decision to pursue a
career in public service
and/or education.
The Student Advisor for
the 2021-22 School Year is
Jason Adkins of Woodstock
High School, and the
Student Delegates are:
Cherokee High School,
Lillie Cate Ergle; Creekview
High School, Ty Hubert;
Etowah High School, Emily
Collins; River Ridge High
School, Brian Bradley;
Sequoyah High School,
Elyse Robbins. They will
begin their role at the
August School Board
meeting and serve through
the end of the school year.
In recognition of their
service, they receive special
graduation cords and a gift
card of appreciation in
May, sponsored by the
Cherokee County Educational
Foundation.