Cooper City Education Advisory Board pitches Civic Scholar pilot for middle-schoolers, asks commission for $5,500

The Cooper City Education Advisory Board presented a new pilot program, the Cooper City Civic Scholar Program, aimed at introducing middle-school students to local government through a self-directed "passport" of civic activities.

Program elements and ask - The program will be a pilot targeting middle-school students; participants choose five tasks from a passport list that range from attending a commission meeting to completing online research and writing a 500-word reflective essay. - Students who complete the passport in roughly a three-month span would be recognized with a medallion, certificate and a reception at City Hall; participants would also be recognized on Founders Day. - The Education Advisory Board requested $5,500 for the inaugural year to cover medals, passports, a reception and outreach materials. The EAB said it had designed the program to minimize city staff burden by relying on the honor system combined with a 500-word essay requirement.

Commission response Commissioners praised the program as a low-cost civic-engagement pilot. Several asked staff to coordinate outreach to middle-school civics teachers to increase participation; Commissioner Schroeder and others suggested the city manager and school contacts help channel interested classes into the program.

Next steps Commissioners signaled support and asked staff to work with the EAB to finalize outreach plans and return with the budget request in its usual budget or allocation process.

Why it matters Commissioners said the program promotes civic literacy among young residents, uses modest city funding and could expand in future years if the pilot succeeds.