Photos by Miranda Pederson/Daily News Warren Central High School student Leland Cantrell, 15, hands out healthy snacks Monday during the school’s presentation of a wellness program for city employees during the Student Solutions program at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center.

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For the third year, students from the four high schools in Warren County tackled city issues. Monday night, those “Student Solutions” committees presented results of their work to elected officials and Bowling Green city staff at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center.

Their suggestions for citywide wireless Internet access, government recycling, prevention of cyberbullying, city employee wellness and an academy to get young people involved in government were well-received; several city officials said they could see at least some of the students’ proposals being adopted.

A team from Bowling Green High School discussed how to open the wireless network now used by police and firefighters to the general public. That access should be considered part of public infrastructure, said team member Eric Long. Modeled on the system already used by St. Cloud, Fla., a public wireless network in Bowling Green should have minimal support service to keep costs down, and not be strong enough to be used indoors - thus limiting competition with private Internet providers, he said.

Long and fellow team member Ja’Ron Butts said maintenance costs would be minimal, since the system’s already in place for public safety, and the city is already blocking public access to that part of the system. It’s already set up to cover most of the city, Chris Boling said.

Butts said that city Director of Network Operations Steve Milam can turn off some wireless transmitters “with the click of a button,” keeping the network weak enough in spots to keep it from being easily available indoors.

The team from Greenwood High School prepared a plan to recycle many city materials. Scott Waste Services says 60 percent of items sent to local landfills can be recycled, team member Sarah Newton said. Among that is about 2.4 million pieces of paper used by the city annually.

The study focused on City Hall, City Hall Annex and Public Works headquarters, but can be expanded to other city offices later, said Holly Chamblee.

Sanaa Abrar called for small recycling containers by every employee’s desk, in break rooms and printer rooms and in central locations in each building. That would mean about 100 desk-side bins and maybe a dozen larger ones, said Matt Miller.

All would cost less than $3,000, according to Stephanie Gaiko. Results could be examined in six months, she said.

A second team from Bowling Green High School looked at cyberbullying. They’d prepared instructional packets and preventive measures based on surveys of more than 900 fourth- through eighth-graders, Heather Hines said.

Team member Byron Turner said those ages were chosen because they mark increased Internet use. The plan also includes information for parents, he said.

Warren Central High School worked on a wellness program for city employees, despite a low response rate from surveys of city staff.

Kristina Simpson said the biggest question was how to get people to participate in wellness efforts.

“You bribe them with incentives, of course,” she said.

They recommended awarding points for various activities and healthy eating, which could be redeemed for prizes or discounts on health insurance premiums.

Brooke Hoover said the city could hire a part-time dietitian and put healthier items in snack machines. As she spoke, other team members circled the room, handing out samples.

Commissioner Brian “Slim” Nash asked how those awarding points could track whether employees had actually exercised or eaten healthily. Hoover said they’d just have to rely on employees’ honesty.

“I’ve had four cookies tonight, in the interest of honesty,” Nash announced - a number quickly disputed as too low by Fire Chief Greg Johnson and Public Works Director Emmett Wood, who sat next to him.

Hoover and Simpson said all their suggestions could be done within the city’s current wellness budget of less than $60,000.

Warren East High School students proposed a “Junior Citizens Academy” for junior and senior high students. Jacob Keith said local government needs involved citizens, but young peoples’ interest in government is declining. Their solution: a three-day, hands-on program for 20 to 30 students.

It should be held in the spring, before standardized tests are given, said Amy Wallace. The academy would have two days of instruction and one of shadowing city employees, she said.

Adam Spinks singled out four areas of emphasis: police and firefighters, the mayor’s office, city manager’s office and Public Works, and Information Technology. The events could be spread out over three weeks to avoid losing three consecutive days of school, he said.

Afterward, Nash said he particularly liked suggestions for the academy, recycling and wellness programs.

“There’s no program that I heard tonight that I think the city couldn’t implement,” he said.

The city is due to start a wellness effort in January, so that suggestion is “right on target,” Human Resources Director Michele Tolbert said.

Police Chief Doug Hawkins was most interested in the anti-cyberbullying proposal.

“I think we could put that into play in probably a month,” he said.