Student Advisory Board brings student voice to Weakley County Schools Planning Session

WEAKLEY COUNTY, Tenn. — When more voices are brought to the table, conversations become stronger and for Weakley County Schools, that includes the voices of our students.

During the annual Weakley County Schools Board of Education Planning Session held recently, district leaders intentionally made space for those voices to be heard. The planning session is designed as a time for discussion and reflection, not decisions. No votes are taken. Instead, department leaders and the district’s Student Advisory Board share feedback and observations that help guide conversations for the year ahead.

Now in its second year, the Student Advisory Board includes one junior and one senior from each high school to represent their schools and bring student perspectives directly to the Board. As students spoke during the planning session, board members asked questions, took notes, and listened closely to what students said they are experiencing in their schools.

School Board Chairman Josh Moore said listening is one of the most important parts of the board’s role.

“The most important thing we can do is listen,” Moore said. “We are all here to serve students, and their perspective is invaluable. We are grateful to this group of students for taking the time to share their ideas and feedback with us.”

While the planning session does not result in immediate decisions, the ideas shared often become part of future conversations. In fact, ideas shared by the group last year helped start conversations that eventually led to changes in the district’s dress code, showing students that their input can truly shape decisions.

During the presentation, the group shared four topics they said students across the district are talking about: vaping, physical activity during the school day, the idea of a four-day school week, and the nine-week grading period.

Dresden High School senior Abigail Kibbler, who serves as president of the Student Advisory Board this year, also attends the monthly school board meetings. For Kibbler, seeing how discussions happen behind the scenes has been eye-opening.

“It’s been really interesting to see how much thought and discussion goes into decisions,” Kibbler said. “As a student, you usually only see the final result. Being part of these meetings and sharing what students are thinking has been a really cool experience.”

One of the biggest concerns students raised during the presentation was vaping. Advisory board members talked about how vaping has become a challenge in many schools and shared ideas about how districts across the country are responding.

Students suggested stronger consequences and more education about the health risks of vaping. They also discussed how some schools focus on awareness and prevention, including demonstrations that show the effects vaping can have on lung health.

Another topic focused on physical activity and student wellness.

Students shared results from a survey that collected more than 300 responses from students across Weakley County Schools. Many said they would like to see more opportunities to move during the school day, sharing that physical activity helps students refocus during long school days and supports both physical and mental health.

The group also talked about the idea of a four-day school week. Students said the topic comes up often in conversations among classmates, especially as many teenagers balance schoolwork, sports, jobs, and other activities. In this presentation, members shared the feedback they have heard from other students. This gave district leaders a chance to hear those conversations and better understand how students are thinking about school schedules and daily demands.

Students also shared thoughts about a potential nine-week grading period and how grading timelines affect their workload throughout the semester. They explained that grading periods often shape how assignments, tests, and major projects are scheduled. Students said current pacing of the grading period can sometimes lead to busy stretches when multiple tests or large assignments fall close together.

The goal of each presentation was not to recommend a specific change, but for district leaders to hear directly from students about what their school experience looks like.

Weakley County Schools Director Jeff Cupples said including students in conversations like this helps leaders see what school looks like from a student’s point of view.

“Bringing our students to the table is crucial when we are looking at the student experience,” said Cupples. “Our students are at the center of everything we do, and their feedback helps us make the best decisions for their education and their future.”

This year’s Student Advisory Board includes Abigail Kibbler and Rylan Davis of Dresden High School; Josie Muzzall and Brycen Cooper of Gleason School; Aiden Jones and Callie Harrington of Greenfield School; and Jack Mantooth and Neeley Sims of Westview High School.

For Weakley County Schools, inviting students into these conversations is about more than a single meeting or presentation. It’s about ensuring the students sitting in our classrooms every day always have a voice in the conversations that shape their schools.

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