Dane County Board of Supervisors Welcomes New Youth Governance Program Members
September 18, 2025
Dylan Moffitt, Policy, Outreach, and Communications Coordinator, (608) 228-9053
County Board
Students from across Dane County recognized at Sept. 18 pinning ceremony
DANE COUNTY, Wis. — On Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, the Dane County Board of Supervisors welcomed a new cohort of Youth Governance Program (YGP) members during a pinning ceremony at the beginning of the board’s regularly scheduled meeting. Fourteen high school students from Madison, McFarland, Middleton, Fitchburg, Sun Prairie, Verona, and Waunakee will serve on county board committees throughout the 2025–26 program term.
“I’m thrilled to welcome this new cohort of students from across Dane County to the Youth Governance Program. Through their service on our standing committees, they’ll gain first-hand experience with the challenging and complex decisions that shape county government, including work on the 2026 budget,” said County Board Chair Patrick Miles. “This kind of civic participation is invaluable — not only for the students, who will build leadership and problem-solving skills, but also for the county board, which benefits from their fresh perspectives.”
Each YGP member will serve with county board supervisors on one of six of the board’s standing committees from September through May 2026 and will partner with a supervisor or committee staff mentor. Members will take part in committee discussions, share perspectives on policy issues, and cast nonbinding advisory votes. They will also join monthly education sessions to strengthen their leadership, civic engagement, and professional skills.
“The Youth Governance Program is a valuable opportunity for high school students in Dane County to learn how county government works while providing valuable input into decision-making,” said Supervisor Henry Fries (Dist. 5), who is serving as a YGP mentor. “I look forward to working with and learning from these talented individuals during the forthcoming YGP term.”
###
About the Dane County Youth Governance Program: The Dane County Youth Governance Program (YGP) was created in January 2012 as an opportunity for youth to make change in the county while developing valuable skills for the future. Modeled after Kenosha County’s successful Youth in Governance program, YGP operates in partnership with UW–Extension and mirrors similar efforts across Wisconsin. For more information, visit: https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/
About the Dane County Board of Supervisors: The Dane County Board of Supervisors is the legislative and policymaking body of Dane County government. Made up of 37 supervisors elected from districts in the county, the mission of the Dane County Board of Supervisors is to effectively represent the people of Dane County, providing services that secure the blessings of freedom, ensure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, and perfect the forms of government. Learn more about the County Board at https://board.danecounty.gov/.