County Commission Approves Plan for Student Civics Education Program
Model Manatee initiative aims to give students hands-on
experience with local government
Manatee County’s newest civics lesson will go beyond textbooks — students will get a chance to run their own local government.
County commissioners voted 5-0 April 21 to authorize development of a Model Manatee civics program to educate high school students about the commission and other aspects of county government.
“Community engagement and civic education is vitally important to a healthy republic and functioning democracy,” states the resolution commissioners approved.
The resolution tasks County Administrator Charlie Bishop with overseeing development of Model Manatee, envisioned as an annual, multi-session program open to students who have completed 10th grade and are enrolled full time in public, private or home-schooled programs.
Students would attend county meetings and workshops, interact with county staff and elected officials, participate in classes on government operations and take part in a mock commission meeting.
“It’s an exciting project,” said Brent Anderson, county government relations manager. “This is going to be a really great program for current sophomores and juniors in high school to apply and be a part of … where eventually they’ll have a class election and elect county commissioners and sheriff and clerk and then we’ll have a mock Manatee County Commission meeting where they can kind of see the process.”
He added, “This resolution is the first step.”
The next step involves the county developing a clear mission, purpose and scope for Model Manatee, as well as eligibility criteria, selection procedures and a structured schedule.
Establishing the program will require a later commission vote, as well as involvement with the School District of Manatee County.
Anderson said, “We will come back in front of you all to approve and then we can get rolling on this awesome opportunity.”
The commission’s stated goals are to:
• Increase understanding of government functions;
• Foster leadership;
• Encourage participation and responsibility.
Similar programs exist elsewhere in the state, including a junior commission program in Charlotte County that caught the attention of Manatee County Commissioner Amanda Ballard, District 2, who brought the concept to county staff.
“I think that this is going to be an amazing project for high schoolers,” Ballard said.
Reflecting on her own experience, she added, “I did AP Government and I loved it, but I really didn’t understand local government until I was several years older because I didn’t have the exposure. So, I think that this is a really great opportunity for young people.”
“I love the idea,” Commission Chair Tal Siddique, District 3, said.
“So, looking forward to seeing what comes of this,” he added.
The program, commissioners hinted, could one day turn a classroom exercise for a student into a campaign or a career.