Dear West Woodland Community,
Thank you so much to all our community members who have already supported our Annual Appeal campaign. We have been able to raise about $103,000 so far. Thank you!
In a normal year, over 80% of our community donates to the Annual Appeal campaign. We knew that this year was going to be different but we did not anticipate that less than half of our school community would make a donation. We are only about half way to our fundraising goal of $227,000.
As you may know, the bulk of the PTA budget funds the instructional grant that we provide to the school. Every year in late February, the Building Leadership Team (BLT), which is made up of teachers from each grade band, specialists, parents, and school administration, presents a request to the PTA. The PTA Board votes on the amount of the instructional grant at our March Board Meeting so that the school administration can use that information in planning the school budget for the coming school year. For example, the PTA voted in early March 2020 (pre-COVID) to provide an instructional grant of $140,000 for the 2020-2021 school year.
If we do not make our fundraising goal this fall, it will have an impact on this school year AND will also impact next school year.
What will we lose this school year?
PTA Leadership will cut everything extra out of the budget. This will include reducing teacher spending accounts and eliminating arts programming. We will need to spend down our cash reserves in order to meet our instructional grant commitment and other contractual obligations for 2020-2021.
What does that mean for next year?
Without additional donations, the PTA will not be able to provide an instructional grant to the school for the 2021-2022 school year.
Why will next school year be impacted?
The money that the PTA raises this year (2020-2021) is used to guarantee our instructional grant for the next year (2021-2022). The way that SPS does budgeting requires the PTA to have 50% of the amount in cash at the time that the grant is made (March 2021).
In 2021-2022, West Woodland will be limited to the budget provided by Seattle Public Schools.
Here are some specifics -
- We will only have a part-time library position. This means that instead of 4 ½ days of library per week, the school would only have 2 ½ days per week. This also means that the library would only be open 2 days a week before school.
- We will have no counseling support. Our school counselor position is entirely supported by the instructional grant.
- We will have only one day of academic intervention. The instructional grant supports the other 4 days of academic support currently available to students.
- We will have only a half day of instrumental music which means it would be limited to 5th graders only and likely by a lottery for those interested students. Currently, PTA funds allow for all interested 4th and 5th graders to participate.
What if we are back in person and raise a lot of money in Fall 2021?
We would love that, but unfortunately raising money in Fall 2021 will help support 2022-2023, but not 2021-2022 because we need to make our commitment in March 2021.
Can I still donate?
Yes! We are extending the Annual Appeal until November 15. You can still make a donation via the Annual Appeal website -
This year and every year, EVERY dollar matters. Thank you for investing in our kids and our school community.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact us at wwptapresidents@gmail.com.
In Community,
Jenna Boitano and Brandi Matilla
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