HAYDEN — A group of second-graders used their brief terms on the Hayden City Council on Friday to unanimously approve a motion for extra dessert at lunch.

All five of the second-grade classes at Hayden Meadows Elementary School visited City Hall this week, where City Administrator Stefan Chatwin gave them a taste of what serving in local politics as a council member — or even mayor — looks like. Visiting City Hall, as well as other buildings that house community services like the fire station and public library, is an annual event for second-grade classes at the school.

"One of the big lessons we do with the kids is about community, so letting them come out and see the important places in our community is huge," said Amy Privitt, a second-grade teacher. "It's really nice because not all of them would get this exposure to local government otherwise."

After Privitt's class made its way into the council chambers, Chatwin asked if anyone knew the name of Hayden's mayor. One student was able to proudly and correctly identify Ron McIntire as the mayor, prompting Chatwin to then ask who McIntire's boss is.

"We are," one student replied enthusiastically.

"We're going to tell him to eat his vegetables," another student said.

Chatwin then went on to explain the importance of voting in local elections, and had a chorus of second-graders correctly answer that you need to be at least 18 years old in order to cast a vote.

There was a brief discussion regarding the responsibilities the mayor and city council members have while in office. Chatwin also gave the second-graders some real-world examples of what their parents' taxes are used for.

Finally it was time for the students to take turns sitting in the large chairs normally occupied by elected officials. Chatwin went through all of the rules and regulations that need to be followed to pass a motion, and had the students practice the process with fake ordinances like eliminating summer vacation.

"When you're making a motion, you're saying that you have an idea you want to vote on," Chatwin said. "But you have to have another person who also wants to vote on the idea to second your motion, otherwise it doesn't get voted on."

Each of the students — even Privitt and some of the chaperones — got a chance to act as a council member, the mayor, or clerk. When the exercise was complete, Chatwin challenged the students to answer one last question.

"It's a long, long time before you get to vote," he said. "So if you can't vote yet, what else can you do to make the city better?"

Hands jolted into the air and gave the city administrator a variety of answers including "pick up litter," "be a good citizen," and "help people that need help."

After the students left City Hall to eat lunch, Chatwin told The Press that he enjoys the annual event a great deal.

"They get an opportunity to see how government works on a local level," he said. "They're beginning to get the idea of civic duty — it's more than just living in Hayden; it's being involved in the community here."