Congratulations to Lynch Literacy Academy sixth grader Laylanie Nadolny, who is the winner of the LLA Participatory Budgeting Project 2020 competition. Laylanie proposed a water fountain for the school.

During this past school year, Lynch Literacy Academy received a grant to support the Participatory Budgeting Project. The Participatory Budgeting Project was led by advisors and LLA Teachers, Mary Douglass and Kelsey Heck. In the program, all LLA students were invited to identify a need in the school that affects the school community, develop a proposal to fix the need, and ultimately select which project to fund.

In February, we invited students to identify a need, research solutions, and create a proposal to address the need following the program guidelines.  Program guidelines included benefitting all students and avoiding any recurring costs.  We received many proposals and were ready to create presentations for the students to select through voting, but unfortunately this came to a halt when COVID 19 hit.  Despite school closure, we got creative and decided to continue with the Participatory Budgeting Project remotely.

LLA students were able to resubmit their proposals electronically, which were then reviewed by a committee. This committee was made up of students, teachers, and parents.  The committee followed a rubric and narrowed down the proposals to three options: tower gardens, updating the school for school spirit, and a new water fountain. Students then had an opportunity to vote for their top choice.

We want to thank everyone that participated in the project including students who submitted ideas, committee members who reviewed the proposals, and everyone that voted.  Your voice matters and makes a difference at LLA!