Council mulls student representatives

The City of Shelton is considering either adding a student representative to the seven-member city council or creating a student commission that would advise on matters such as parks and recreation.

Members of the Shelton City Council discussed the proposal at its work session April 26.

City Manager Jeff Niten said city councils in Sequim and Quincy each have a “youth liaison.” In Sequim, the president of the Associated Student Body fills the role, while in Quincy, the mayor appoints the student and the council confirms the choice, he said.

The student representatives do not vote, and are not allowed to attend executive sessions.

With the two options, “Either way it seems we accomplish the goal of engaging youth in government and the civic process in the community, which is great,” said Deputy Mayor Joe Schmit.

“I think it’s important for our high school students to learn government,” said council member Kathy McDowell, “I consider our city government grassroots — we’re right at the bottom. We talk about stuff, we decide stuff, we bring it to the top.”

Mayor Eric Onisko said he would like to see a new student each trimester so three youths can get the experience each school year.

Council member Deidre Peterson said she prefers a student commission that would offer recommendations on matters such as parks, libraries and human resources instead of adding an eighth position to the city council. That commission could include representatives from the three high schools — Shelton, Cedar and CHOICE — and perhaps from Olympic College Shelton as well, she said.

Niten said he will talk to officials in the Shelton School District to see whether they are interested in participating, and if they have a preference between one student representative or a commission. Niten said he will write a draft proposal the council can address at a regular meeting.

The Shelton School Board has three student representatives, one from each high school: Quinn Martin from Cedar, Audra Wyatt from CHOICE, and Richard Beckman from Shelton. They offer their thoughts on district policies and give updates on what’s happening in their schools, but they do not vote.