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Council backs participatory budgeting, after‑school expansion and a Northland community‑school pilot
Summary
Columbus City Council accepted a participatory‑budget framework, approved $2 million for after‑school programming and authorized an early grant to pilot a Northland community school coordinator as the city and school board prepare a joint committee meeting.
Council approved a set of measures aimed at expanding resident voice and supports for young people.
Finance and governance accepted the participatory‑budgeting steering committee’s framework for the city’s first "Our Voice, Our Choice" participatory budgeting process and announced the idea collection phase starting the week of July 6. The program will allow residents to submit and vote on local projects within their districts.
Workforce Education & Labor approved an ordinance to direct $2 million through the United Way of Central Ohio to expand after‑school opportunities for roughly 1,300 middle‑school students across schools, community centers and partner sites beginning in September 2026.
Council also approved a grant agreement to support a Northland Community School pilot — funding a full‑time coordinator to expand community‑school activities that connect students, families and neighborhood partners. Isetta Thomas of the Columbus Education Justice Coalition described the model’s national track record and local gains (student leadership, community events) and urged support. Council framed the item as a first step under the new joint committee with Columbus City Schools, scheduled to convene June 15.
Next steps: Participatory‑budgeting outreach will begin in July; departments will finalize grant agreements and the city and school board joint committee will convene to outline shared financial and programmatic interactions.
