Willis is in its second year of Participatory Budgeting (PB)

Team Ca$h Money is back for a second exciting year in partnership with the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) and the Maricopa County Recorder's Office.  In 2018, the participatory budgeting (PB) process started with Andersen Junior High School, Chandler High School,  and Willis Junior High School.  On April 17, 2019, Willis students decided how $20,000 should be spent on the WJHS campus.   This was NOT a simulation.  We were able to purchase a new mascot costume and the materials to create a mural that will liven up the cafeteria.  The theme for the mural:  Feed Your Dreams.

What is PB?

In our case, PB is a process that seeks teaches students how to be actively involved in their community.  PB is democracy in action:  taking ideas for needed changes, developing them into argue-worthy issues with evidence, campaigning for the issues, and conducting a formal student vote.  PB’s aim is to show that individuals in a community do have a voice in a participative democracy. Sade Johnson and Christie Traylor are the PB sponsors.  This year all high schools and junior high schools have PB clubs.

What Happens?

Second quarter the Willis PB steering committee, Team Ca$h Money, will be collecting ideas.  Third quarter they will be developing proposals to promote the ideas that the district approves.  Fourth quarter WJHS will vote.  The tally will be available immediately after the student casts the last vote.  Mr. Delp will announce the winner before students are excused.   The proposal "package" that receives the most votes WILL BE FUNDED.  Real votes. Real money.  Real changes.

By PB’s conclusion this school year, students will have hands-on experience taking a community need from concern to potential solution.  Students in 2019-2020 will leave a legacy for the future.