As a new school year begins across Kentucky, yellow school buses are back on the road and classrooms are buzzing with activity.
Now’s the time to think about how local government can engage with your county’s youngest residents. County elected officials are in a unique position to spark students’ curiosity about their communities, helping them understand how local government shapes their daily lives.
Why local government matters to students
Most young people can name the U.S. president or their state’s governor, but fewer understand the role of their county judge/executive, magistrates, sheriff, county clerk or other elected positions. Yet local government makes decisions that affect the roads they travel, the parks they play in, the safety of their neighborhoods and the services their families depend on.
In fact, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a measure during the 2024 legislative session – HB 535 – which sets civic literacy requirements for high schoolers. Those requirements take effect this school year for students entering 9th grade.
Introducing students to county government at an early age helps:
- Build civic awareness and engagement
- Encourage respect for public service
- Plant the seeds for future community leaders
- Make government more approachable and transparent
By visiting classrooms or inviting students into county facilities, officials can show that government is not a distant concept, but an important part of everyday life.
Ways to connect with students
2025 KACo Art Contest
Each fall KACo sponsors the I Love My KY County Art Contest. Encourage K-8 students in your county to submit a drawing of what they love about their community. Winners are recognized at the KACo annual conference and featured in the KACo calendar.
The submission window opens Aug. 12 and closes Oct. 3, 2025.
KACo Activity Book
The Kentucky Association of Counties offers an informative activity book designed to teach students about county government through games, puzzles and fun facts. County officials can request copies and deliver them to schools as a hands-on resource for teachers.
Request copies of the book here.
Visit a classroom
Offer to speak to an elementary, middle or high school class about what your office does. Use real-life examples that students can relate to — like how the county manages a budget, how decisions are made regarding parks and roads, how 911 dispatchers respond to emergencies, or how to register to vote.
Host a field trip
Participate in career days
Schools often hold career exploration events. Set up a table with information about your role, display county maps or photos of projects and answer students’ questions about working in local government.
Partner on community service projects
Collaborate with schools on service initiatives such as park cleanups, holiday food drives or public art projects. These joint efforts give students a sense of ownership in their community.
Making a lasting impact
Engaging with students is more than a one-time visit; it’s a chance to foster lifelong civic participation and pride. When young people understand how their county works, they’re more likely to vote, volunteer and even consider public service careers.
As this school year gets underway, consider reaching out to your local educators and finding ways to connect. You might just inspire the next county judge/executive, clerk or sheriff sitting in the back row of a classroom today.
For copies of KACo’s activity book or ideas on hosting student groups, contact the KACo Member Engagement Manager Sydney Blodgett at sydney.blodgett@kaco.org.
