around Kentucky.

I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> High school students in Southern Kentucky are learning all about county government.

Russell County Fiscal Court met at the local high school on Monday, giving students an up close look at how local leadership operates.

Our Laura Rogers has more from Russell Springs.

>> A high school gymnasium is typically the site of sporting events and PE classes, but on Monday, this gym was home to county government.

>> I conducted an actual local fiscal court meeting in front of the entire high school student body.

Students got to see their county government in action.

Today.

>> Russell County Fiscal Court conducted business at Russell County High School, part of renewed efforts to engage young people in public affairs and policy.

>> They're getting it firsthand.

They learn what the local government is and what the state government and the federal, and where everybody fits and what the branches are.

They got to see the agenda items and how real action is taken in the fiscal court.

So just a great opportunity.

>> Superintendent Michael Ford says it provided ideas for further classroom discussion.

>> A teacher could easily take that and do a writing prompt with it.

They could certainly play it into a social studies class.

The judge referenced the road fund and one point whatever million dollars that was.

You could take anything that would happen here today and put that in the classroom.

>> It comes as Russell County recently formed a civics club for students, modeled after a similar initiative in neighboring Cumberland County.

>> This program opened my eyes up, and I really enjoyed political science and just seeing how local government works.

>> Sadie Arterburn serves as the judge executive and the Cumberland County Civics Club and works part time for the county as solid waste and grants coordinator, already shaping her future.

>> I've been accepted into Murray State, and I'm going to double major in political science and marketing.

>> I'm really interested in politics and government.

>> Sidney Galizia serves as county attorney and the Russell County Civics Club and wants to be a prosecutor one day.

>> I hope it gives me hands on experience so I can have more knowledge about it.

>> Knowledge that officials hope they'll use as leaders of the next generation.

>> If we want them to stay, give them a seat at the table and ask, what will it take for you to stay here in your hometown?

That's what Judge Marcum and the fiscal court locally are doing, and I'm proud that's what we've done in Cumberland County.

>> If their future does lead them elsewhere in government, King says it's still a benefit for these rural communities.

>> If they go and they work at the state level or the federal level, we now have somebody that we're on a first name basis with and a cell phone number that we can use to contact folks at the state and the federal level that are a product of this program.

>> Junior Leah White does plan to pursue a career in education and Russell County, and says civics club will prepare her to do so.

>> I'm planning on becoming a teacher and I'm hoping to come back to this area.

And so I feel like if I know more about the community, I'm going to be walking in and I can connect better with the students.

>> I'm in this club primarily because I believe that this is really, really going to help me with my future.

And also I really like the people in it.

>> Alexis Chandler says a teacher who went to law school has inspired her to do the same.

She's already taking college courses.

As a high school junior.

>> I took an introduction to criminal justice and introduction to criminal law.

>> County officials say the ambition of these students means the future is bright for local leadership and service.

For Kentucky edition, I'm Laura Rogers.

>> Thank you Laura.

Bright futures indeed.

This is believed to be the only.

Second time a fiscal court in Kentucky has met before a student body.

The civics club officers are also paid for their time and efforts, thanks to grant