Fifth-Graders Try Out Participatory Budgeting, Cast Votes at Brewer’s Office
Kids as young as 11 years old are allowed to vote in the participatory budget election, which will divide $1 million among winning projects in district six on the Upper West Side. The only criteria for voting is that the person reside within the district and does not have to be a registered voter in other elections. The deadline for participatory voting is April 2.
| 31 Mar 2023 | 11:49
Fifth-graders from P.S. 9 and P.S. 48 joined Council Members Gale Brewer and Adrienne Adams (blue jacket) to cast their ballots for programs and initiatives that would affect their neighborhood with $1 million in funding up for grabs. Photo: Twitter - Adrienne Adams.
Eighty fifth-graders joined Council Members Gale Brewer and Adrienne Adams on Wednesday, March 29, to participate in grass roots democracy in action and get their first taste of voting in a real election.
The students, who hailed from P.S. 9 (Sarah Anderson School) and P.S. 48 (Lillian Weber School), made a field trip to Council Member Brewer’s office on Columbus Avenue to learn about participatory budgeting and cast their own ballots.
“What a great afternoon! NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams joined me at our district office with 80 civically minded students from PS9 & PS84 to learn about Participatory Budget,” Brewer posted on Facebook. She reminded upper west side siders that “Voting is open until April 2.”
There are nine different groups on the ballots who are collectively seeking $1.7 million in funding, so obviously some will be out of luck once the winners are announced. The projects in district 6 range from a request for outdoor fitness equipmenbt in Riverside Park, which is seeking $250,000 to a technology upgrade at Sarah Anderson School ($250,000).
“You’re never too young to get civically engaged! Today, I joined @galeabrewer to watch democracy in action as students from PS 9 and 48 cast their votes for Participatory Budgeting Vote Week!” tweeted Adams, who represents a district in Queens but made the trek to the Upper West Side because she is also the City Council speaker.
The participatory budgeting initiative allows twenty-seven city council districts to receive $1 million each to distribute among nonprofits and programs. In a form of direct democracy, constituents of each district are free to vote from a list of possible programs to receive the funding.
Constituents as young as 11 years old are allowed to take part in participatory budgeting, making it the perfect event to teach fifth-graders about the power of the vote..
Participatory budgeting is available online until April 2nd at https://vote.pbnyc.org/new-york-city-council-participatory-budgeting-2023.
Nominees in Gale Brewer’s District:
Riverside Park, Outdoor Adult Fitness Equipment, Riverside Park: $250,000 to create an area with exercise equipment for adult use that includes a section for group classes, and a water fountain.
Greening the Avenues: Trees & Tree Guards [Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues] $50,000. Install approximately 10 trees/tree guards on Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues for the environment and to offer additional shade.
Security Cameras [Columbus Avenue & Broadway Corridors] $250,000. Argus cameras on the Columbus Avenue and Broadway corridors, and other locations determined by the 20th and 24th Police Precincts.
Update Science Lab at Manhattan School for Children [MS 333, 154 W 93rd St] $200,000. Update the 30-year-old science lab by providing tables and cabinets to create an environment that promotes curiosity and learning.
Upgrade Cafeteria at Emily Dickinson School [PS 75, 735 West End Ave] $250,000. Soundproofing and lighting to provide an inclusive and safe environment for all students, particularly students in the ASD Nest program who are sensitive to sensory input.
New Lighting System for Little Flower Theatre in LaGuardia H.S.[100 Amsterdam Ave.] $250,000. This theatre serves 2,500 students daily, plus local community members. The current lighting system is failing and needs to be replaced.
Upgrade Electrical Wiring and Capacity at Center School [MS 243, 100 W 84th St.] $150,000. Center School needs an upgrade to its electrical service to support increased use of technology in classrooms.
Technology Upgrade for Classrooms at Sarah Anderson School [PS 9, 100 W 84th St.] $250,000. Thirty in-room smart boards for each classroom to ensure students and faculty have necessary access to technology.
Air Conditioning/HVAC Installation at Richard Rodgers School of Arts & Technology [PS 166, 132 W 89th St.] $250,000. The school’s cafeteria and auditorium, essential spaces for learning and social activities, are in need of air conditioning/HVAC installation.