According to the Washburn County Register...

The Shell Lake City Council may see youth representatives joining them after discussion at a meeting Monday, June 9, in city hall.

During new businesss, Mayor Donna Barnes-Haesemeyer brought up the idea that night. The Washburn County Board of Supervisors has had two high school youth representatives, plus a few alternates, take part in its Tuesday-night meetings for many years. The youth can comment at the meetings and vote, though theirs aren’t officially counted as part of a motion.

Naturally, not all are in agreement this is a good idea.

Alderperson Terry Leckel said he had concerns with this idea, namely that it could slow down the process even more, and wondered where the students would even sit, as the council table is full. Barnes-Haesemeyer then pointed out another table on the side of the chambers.

Alderperson David Rock said his daughter was a youth representative on the county board and enjoyed it, and he found it to be a good opportunity for young people. He said the youth even get paid a per diem, like the supervisors do.“I think it’s an excellent program for the youth to be involved in the decision making,” Rock said.

Alderperson Jeri Bitney said that the student council president gives a presentation at monthly Shell Lake School Board meetings.Alderperson

Jane Pederson said she agreed with Leckel, that having youth representatives on the council might slow the process down and take up more time during meetings. She feared it wouldn’t necessarily be valuable for the council, and said students have other opportunities, like student government, to participate.

Hmmm ... it might not be necessarily valuable to hear student's opinions?


With school funding a continuing problem the Ladysmith News reports...

School Boards from three districts in Rusk County met jointly and voted to retain a consulting firm to do a comprehensive consolidation feasibility study.

No nays were heard when 18 board members from Bruce, Ladysmith-Hawkins, and Weyerhaeuser school districts cast a voice vote approving a motion that authorizes proceeding with the analysis. Administrators from the three districts are to get together and pick a consulting firm to do the study.

The motion also calls for the three districts to apply to the state Department of Public Instruction for grant money to help fund the study. Cost of a comprehensive study would be in the neighborhood of 30 to 40 thousand dollars and a grant, if received would cover about 10 thousand dollars. Cost of the consultant would be shared equally by the districts.