October 7, 2026 — Walton High School senior Turner Sahadevan will bring a Cobb County perspective to statewide education discussions as a member of State School Superintendent Richard Woods’ 2026–2027 Student Advisory Council.
Sahadevan is the only student from the Cobb County School District on the council’s official roster and joins 85 Georgia students selected from 1,427 applicants, according to the Georgia Department of Education.
Throughout the school year, Sahadevan and his fellow council members will meet with Woods to discuss education issues and explain how state policies affect their experiences in school. Members will also serve as ambassadors for the superintendent and carry out service projects benefiting their schools and communities.
"Students can tell us firsthand how the decisions we make affect their learning and their plans for the future,” State Superintendent Woods said.
Students in grades 10-12 were eligible to apply. Selection considered the strength of applicants’ essay responses and representation across Georgia’s regions, bringing together students from rural, suburban, and urban communities.
For Sahadevan, the appointment creates an opportunity to bring a Walton student’s perspective to statewide conversations about education
The council’s first meeting is scheduled for October 19 at the Georgia Department of Education’s offices in Atlanta. Three additional meetings are planned for January, March, and April 2027.
