Since she took the job in 2024, Wright City R-II Superintendent Dr. Amy Salvo has worked to give the district’s students a voice.

The key component of that work has been Salvo’s Student Advisory Council, an effort that allows students from every building in the district – from three years old to high school – to be heard.

Wright City Middle School student Calleigh Stumpf said the opportunity to provide meaningful feedback is valuable.

“I appreciate Dr. Salvo coming and hearing student opinions on things we want to see change,” Stumpf said.

Some topics covered in the Student Advisory Council meetings, chronicling daily experiences, ranged from nap time and classroom routines for the youngest learners to engaging lessons at the middle and high schools.

The students were also able to touch on broader topics with Salvo, such as school culture,  where students feel welcomed, supported, and valued; grading practices and academic opportunities.

Wright City High School freshman Layla Boland said that just getting the chance to share a student’s perspective with the superintendent made her feel seen.

“I love that we are still a small-town school and being known for our student success in extracurriculars,” Boland said.

For her part, the superintendent said that the opportunity to get out into the school community and hear directly from students gives her the best possible chance to compile information about the district’s most important constituents – its students.

The superintendent added that at every meeting, she encountered students who each genuinely wanted to make their school a better place.

Salvo said she believes this ongoing initiative will provide invaluable insights into student life across the district and help us continue supporting the district’s students.

“As leaders, it is easy to become focused on policy, procedures, and operational demands,” Salvo said. “However, student voice provides a perspective that no data point on a spreadsheet can fully capture. When we intentionally listen to the students we serve, we strengthen relationships, build trust, and create a more inclusive and effective district. I am honored to serve the students of our community in partnership with our staff, school leaders, and community members. Still, the most meaningful part of my work is hearing directly from the students themselves.”