Commissioners George Skamai, Pat Fabian and Jason Renshaw served as the President last week while listening to Lenape Tech student bills (submitted photo). About a dozen of the 60 bills proposed were ‘signed into law.’
by Jonathan Weaver
Dozens of Lenape Tech students got to experience what it was like to be a representative or senator earlier this month.
In Kirk Atwood’s Comprehensive American Government class, 60 students between first and third period introduced bills for potential passage by the President (played by County Commissioners Pat Fabian, Jason Renshaw and George Skamai).
Atwood described the lesson.
“We were talking about the legislative process, how laws were made. So, first period was our House (and) third period was our Senate; they all introduced bills, went through committees, were amended, came out and were voted on by their chamber, either voted on or voted down. If they passed one chamber, they went to the other, went through the whole process again – mirroring what Congress does, Atwood said.
After a conference committee between both chambers, the Congress needed a ‘President’ to decide if the bills would be signed or vetoed.
Atwood said choosing the commissioners also coincided with a lesson he wanted to teach on county government.
While each student introduced their own bill, only about 10 were signed.
“The only rules I gave (students) were that they had to be education-related,” Atwood said.
Sophomore Sports Medicine and Allied Health Mackenzie Irvine introduced a bill to increase the number of ounces in a cafeteria lunch drink as well as options. While commissioners liked the bill, they also wondered how Irvine planned to fund the upgrade.
“We could do a school fundraiser,” Irvine, who is lactose intolerant, brainstormed. “I’m so thirsty at lunch – you eat lunch and then you only have so much to drink.”
Sophomore Computer Information student Nathan Fulton introduced a bill to allow Lenape Tech students to wear hats
“I don’t really wear hats, but I have a lot of family members that go here that always wear hats,” Fulton said.
Fulton, of Wayne Township, said friends Sam and Austin also wear hats in class – which could be grounds for as much as detention during the school day.
The House amended Fulton’s bill to allow all students and faculty to wear hats, but the President vetoed the bill.
“The commissioners thought it would be better to keep it old-school due to common courtesy and other things related to social problems with hats,” Fulton said. “A lot of bills get killed off pretty-early, so I’m pretty happy mine even got that far.”
Sophomore Law Enforcement Student Stephaney Hutchinson aimed to get locks for half-lockers, which was also amended to convert all lockers into half-lockers so every student had one instead of having to share.
Hutchinson, of Kittanning, currently has to “lug around” books for her Lenape Tech classes, a bag for softball practice and a gym bag.
“I don’t like leaving my stuff unattended,” Hutchinson said. “That’s mostly what all the sophomores do – take their book bags to class and just put them under the tables.”
Sophomore Colten Gearhart – Hutchinson’s boyfriend - helped brainstorm the bill. Currently, lockers are randomly assigned before the school year begins, but Hutchinson shares with Gearhart.
The three Armstrong County commissioners said they enjoyed the experience and the student ideas for change. (KP File Photo)
Commissioners also wondered how Hutchinson would pay for the locks and recommended students talk with student welders.
Other bills introduced included shortening the school day or week.
“It was a fun process to see what they thought, what their ideas were,” Atwood said.
All three commissioners said they enjoyed the experience as well.
Commissioner Renshaw broke the bills up into needs versus wants, and said commissioners are faced with the same issues daily.
“It was a great experience, getting the chance to turn back the clock,” Renshaw said. “It just re-emphasizes what a great school it is and what a resource we have.”
He said commissioners also are invited to speak at Freeport Area High.
Commissioner Skamai said he was impressed by the bills introduced.
All students received grades based on participation.
Last year, administrators served as the final decision.