Waterford superintendent launches student advisory council to lift student voice

Superintendent Adam Martin said the Waterford School District has launched a superintendent’s student advisory council to give high-school students a formal role in district decision-making, describing the group as central to the district’s work. “We don't exist without students,” Martin said on the district podcast.

District communications director Sarah Davis and staff members Ashley Gray and Jen Dusuki helped set up the council after Martin said cabinet recommended connecting with Ashley’s SAFE team. Ashley Gray said the council typically draws about "20, 30 students on any given month," with representatives from Durant, Mott and Kettering high schools meeting monthly for an icebreaker, a brief message from the superintendent and topic-focused conversations followed by lunch so students can speak one-on-one with district leaders.

"It's just the opportunity for students to hear what they wanna, some input from other students and also an opportunity for superintendent Martin to understand kind of the voice of the students," Gray said. Jen Dusuki said the council started with a framework — school culture, academic programs and lifting student voice — but that sessions are largely student-led; one ongoing project gathers student-to-student interview videos about what inspires learners at school.

Martin said the council has already contributed district content, including a snow-day video, and will be asked for input on possible changes to attendance and late-work policies as the district considers adjustments. He also said the council will help the district adapt to a recently passed state cell-phone policy and that a facilitator will work with the students at the end of spring to support belonging work.

Students on the panel described practical priorities. Isaac Carthane, a Durant senior, said the council gives students across schools a space to raise issues on behalf of peers who might be nervous to speak up: "It feel like I'm speaking up for, like, myself and other people as a whole who possibly feel like they can't speak for themselves." Ryder Rapoon, representing Kettering, focused on youth sports and urged development of a stronger feeder system between youth programs and high school athletics. Camille Jenkins of Mott said the district should improve event communication because many students miss activities simply because they do not know they are happening.

Officials and students described early measures of success as continued attendance and peer-to-peer awareness: students asking "When is our next meeting?" and bringing issues back to their classmates. Martin said a personal success metric is seeing students feel comfortable approaching district leaders in school buildings.

The podcast also included a district announcement from Martin saying Waterford recently invested more than $16,000,000 in curriculum and technology and opened the Stepanski Early Childhood Center in September 2024; district staff directed listeners to wsdmi.org/enrollment for registration.

Martin said the council is intended to provide ongoing, actionable student feedback as the district refines policies and programs. The episode closed with thanks to the students and staff and production credits; the district said WSD Voice is available on the district website and major podcast platforms.