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Opelika presenters seek to establish youth council in response to school violence and surveys
Summary
Presenters asked the council to support a Youth Council of Government for 11th–12th graders at Opelika High School, citing a survey of roughly 400 students and a recent shooting at Jeter School as driving factors; staff said applications will open and the council will help route youth proposals through city channels.
Presenters told the Opelika City Council they are proposing a Youth Council of Government composed of 11th- and 12th-grade students enrolled at Opelika High School and planned to begin accepting applications in September.
A presenter said the idea grew out of surveys and community outreach following a tragic incident at Jeter School that involved a 16-year-old victim of gun violence. The presenter said roughly 400 students completed a survey administered with the help of the Boys and Girls Club and community liaisons; responses indicated many teens had not previously been asked for input on city-level issues and wanted opportunities to be heard.
"Teens wanna help make a change," a presenter said, describing the council as a chance to teach students how to build and budget a project, prepare a presentation, and navigate city processes. Chief Healy and staff characterized the Youth Council as a way to increase teens' civic engagement and provide a structured route for student ideas to be vetted by planning and city staff before reaching the council.
Councilmembers and staff said the proposed Youth Council would route proposals through appropriate channels for vetting; no formal council vote was taken during the presentation. Staff invited further discussion and indicated administrative steps would follow to implement an application process and start date.
The presenters asked for the council's support and highlighted the importance of giving young people a voice in community safety and planning.
