It’s quite possible that Shull-David Elementary School students may have a new perspective on local government.

If so, they can thank a trio of Lehighton Borough officials for their fresh outlook toward the geographical region in which they live.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett, Mayor Clark Ritter and Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky spoke to fourth-graders on the matter Friday afternoon.

Abelovsky, who won her first term in office this past November, discussed local politics and how she got elected.

She explained that she wanted to run for council because she had “goals that I wanted to see happen.”

“My job is to represent the community,” Abelovsky said.

Abelovsky said that while she was campaigning for a seat on council before being elected, she hit the streets to hear what the residents had to say.

She said improvements suggested were street paving, demolition of blighted properties and security systems.

Abelovsky then asked the students to write down what they like about the borough, and what they would like to see changed.

Ritter, who recently began his first term as mayor, said that in his role, he oversees the police department, and works with the police chief.

He said that much like the students, “I have a lot of things that I have to know.”

Ritter explained that the mayor has many responsibilities and duties to fulfill.

He then spoke briefly on his upcoming “Talk with the Mayor” and “Junior Mayor for the Day Program.”

“I want to make Lehighton better for the people who live in town,” he said. “I like to do things for the people.”

Beckett began her career as a secretary and assistant treasurer in Rush Township in 2001.

She said she became Lehighton Borough manager in 2011.

“I’m in charge of the day-to-day operations, and I make sure that happens with the help of a lot of people,” Beckett said.

She explained that she works with multiple departments in the borough, and attends borough council meetings, where there is a lot of talking and decision-making that takes place.

Beckett stressed to the students that it’s “very important” to know what’s going on in their local government.

Throughout the program, the three answered various questions asked by the students.

At the conclusion of the program, the students thanked them for their time.

The program was a lesson in local government, which the students are currently studying.