PTSA Board Proposes $78K for Staffing, More

The PTSA Board at its Sept. 12 meeting unanimously approved $78,000 in additional 2023-24 spending, bringing total anticipated expenses to $367,000. The Board will present the revised budget for final approval at the next PTSA Membership Meeting, expected to be Oct. 17.

Co-Treasurer Parry Schmeichel presented the following additions to the 2023-24  budget:

• $45,000 – Staffing to support students at risk of not graduating. The spending is intended to borrow ideas from the GAINS program in place at Ballard High School. Principal Hart is leading this initiative.
• $25,000 – Volunteer Coordinator (part time of about 20 hours per week) to be hired by GHS. The funding includes an expense budget of $2,500 for volunteer appreciation.
• $5,000 – Campus Safety (volunteer trainings and other expenses to be determined, led by Principal Hart and the Garfield Safety Committee).
• $3,150 – Teacher and staff monthly awards program to be devised by GHS administration.

Also at the Sept. 12 meeting, outgoing Co-Treasurer Mary Murray reviewed the 2022-23 final numbers, noting that the PTSA income exceeded its $251,000 goal.

Spending was $222,000, less than planned. Factors included a vacancy in the PTSA-funded volunteer coordinator position and an unexpected infusion of non-PTSA dollars that covered much of the cost of the part-time athletic trainer.