COMPTON—The Compton City Council voted on Tuesday, Nov. 1, to allow all students residing in the Hub City to participate in the Compton Youth Leadership Council.

The ordinance passed by a 4-1 vote, with Mayor Eric J. Perrodin casting the lone vote against the measure.

The Youth Leadership Council’s function is to make recommendations relative to policies that affect the lives of children living in the Hub City, expose and educate them to the nature of city government, and conduct workshops on pertinent issues facing youth.

The revised ordinance allows for two students from schools outside the Compton Unified School District to serve on the youth council, with the remaining three attending the CUSD. All students must reside in the city.

The issue, originally brought to the Council on Tuesday, Oct. 25, was not acted upon after Perrodin raised concerns about the ratio of private school versus CUSD students serving on the YLC. Perrodin acknowledged that although he is a lifelong Compton resident, he never attended CUSD public schools, attending parochial schools through his secondary education.

“My concern is the youth coalition should be geared more towards the kids that attend schools within the CUSD, as opposed to the ones who live in the city, but go to a private school,” Perrodin said. “I commend you for bringing this back with wording that requires the majority to go schools in the district, but what happens if one of those kids transfers to a public school?”

City Attorney Craig Cornwell advised that if a child transferred and changed the ratio, the position in question would have to be filled by someone attending the CUSD.

“I am looking at the fairness issue,” Perrodin said. “If someone goes to school from kindergarten through grade 11 then transfers, should that person be removed in favor of someone who has never attended school within the CUSD?”

Arceneaux said that while she agreed with Perrodin about the majority of students being from the CUSD, opening it up to all students residing in Compton alleviates the issue of requiring a quorum before allowing the group to function.

“If you want additional protection for the student, I need to come up with something,” Cornwell said. “Right now the only thing protected is the seat.”

Zurita said she met a student living in the city, who is civic-minded, and interested in serving on the Youth Leadership Council.

“He does not attend the CUSD,” she said. “He attends a college prep school. Upon completion, he receives an Associate of Arts degree and his high school diploma. The CUSD does not offer that program. We should be able to make exceptions so a young man like this can serve.”

The revision takes effect 30 days after the second reading and adoption of the ordinance, Dec 8.