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High school scholars host first‑of‑its‑kind mayoral forum for Jackson candidates
Summary
Jackson Public Schools hosted a student‑led mayoral forum that gave high school scholars the chance to question 11 municipal candidates on issues including the water crisis, youth violence and school funding.
Jackson Public Schools hosted a student‑focused mayoral forum that brought 11 municipal candidates to answer scholars’ questions on issues that affect their daily lives, including the city’s water crisis, youth violence and education funding.
District leaders and organizers described the event as a first for a sitting school district in the state: it allowed scholars to prepare and pose questions directly to candidates running for mayor. The forum format included student moderators and a set of structured questions developed for the event.
One district staff member praised the students’ participation and the thoughtfulness of their questions. Students who attended said the forum gave them a chance to hear candidates’ positions and to consider how municipal decisions affect schools and families.
Organizers framed the forum as a civic engagement opportunity that moves voter education into classrooms and cultivates earlier interest in local government. The district said it planned to continue creating student‑led civic programming.
