DeKalb County teenagers will soon have a say in the county government.

On Tuesday, County Commissioner Lee May announced the launch of the DeKalb Youth Commission.

The youth commission will offer students leadership training and give them a chance to participate in county commission events, May said. Commissioners will solicit the students' input on local, national and global issues, May said.

“Many times we make decisions here on this podium and never consider how it affects them,” May told commissioners Tuesday.

Students will be assigned to work with CEO Burrell Ellis or one of the commissioners.

May, the commission’s deputy presiding officer, said he started the youth group after seeing a similar model in Chatham County.

The youth commission is now accepting applications from students in 10th and 11th grade in all DeKalb public schools. Applications are available in the high school guidance offices.

About the Author

Featured

Delta employees are under investigation because of content “related to the recent murder of activist Charlie Kirk” that “went well beyond healthy, respectful debate,” CEO Ed Bastian wrote in a companywide memo Friday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez