Springdale officials OK youth council

Students get chance to see how city government works

SPRINGDALE — High school students now have the opportunity to get handson civic lessons by being part of a city youth council. The Springdale Youth Council’s creation and its bylaws were unanimously approved during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. “We think it’s a great way for young people to learn how city government works but also be in a safe space where they can share opinions and ideas and also help educate city officials on issues that matter to youth in our community,” said Melissa Reeves, the city’s public relations director who has served as the program’s architect. Kathryn Birkhead, who ran for City Council in 2016, came up with the idea for the youth council. Birkhead, who worked as a diversity and inclusion director for both the Jones Center and Northwest Arkansas Community College, said about a third of the city’s population is younger than 18. “We’re a young city and a very diverse city,” she said. “There’s a lot to be gained by having youth working with folks in elected positions. If they’re working together we all benefit.” Mayor Doug Sprouse supported Birkhead’s idea and announced the youth council’s creation during his Feb. 28 state of the city address. Reeves said Sprouse asked her to develop the youth council program. The youth council will comprise of up to 18 members representing grades 10 through 12 from Springdale High School, Har-Ber High School and School of Innovation, as well as homeschooled and private school students, bylaws state. “We want to make sure it’s as diverse and inclusive as possible,” Reeves said during last week’s City Council Committee meeting. Reeves hopes to start accepting applications online from students July 1. “Really what we’re looking for are kids who are eager to learn and who we feel will be fully engaged in the process,” Reeves said. Grade point average will not be a requirement, but each applicant will have to be recommended by a sponsor who will also be a point of support for them throughout the process and make sure the applicant is fulfilling academic obligations, Reeves said. Applicants will also be required to answer six short questions.

The youth council will last from September through April. It will be an annual program. Every year the youth council will have 18 new students. There will be an open position for an ex-officio member, which is a student who participated the previous year and stays on in an advisory role, but will only vote to break ties, Reeves said.

The program will include a group presentation where youth council members will research a problem affecting city youth. They will present the problem and potential solutions to the City Council, Reeves said.

Elected city officials ranging from the mayor to City Council members to City Attorney Earnest Cate will serve as mentors to youth council members, according to Reeves.

“That will not only be an opportunity for city council member to mentor the students, but also an opportunity for the student to talk to the elected official and speak about any issues they see in the city and give feedback,” Reeves said.

Rogers has a Mayor’s Youth Council, which, according to the city’s website, “is designed to engage future leaders by allowing them to learn and discuss issues related to local government while learning to promote service to their community throughout the city.” The program is open to 10 high school juniors who either attend school in Rogers or live in Rogers. Neither Fayetteville nor Bentonville have a youth council.

Councilwoman Kathy Jaycox said the youth council is a wonderful opportunity for Springdale.

“It will help to develop young people’s interest in our community and to move it forward in a very positive way,” Jaycox said.

A relationship between city youth and city leaders is mutually beneficial, Birkhead said.

“We have some strong new voices who can help us understand the needs of today’s youth, so everybody wins,” she said.

“It will help to develop young people’s interest in our community and to move it forward in a very positive way.”

— Kathy Jaycox, Springdale councilwoman