Budget 2026-27
Meetings & Governance
Proposed 2026–27 budget
This is the plan members will vote on. The fiscal year runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The full line-by-line budget is in the member email.
Planned income
$68,351
Planned spending
$53,670
Planned surplus
$14,681
These figures cover our general fund only. Class fees for after-school enrichment and restricted funds are shown separately below because that money passes through for a set purpose.
Why this year's budget is smaller
Last school year, members approved a revised budget that used part of our savings for one-time and expanded needs, such as a sensory room, emergency supplies, and field trip buses.
As a result, we start this year with $45,121. In a typical year, we start with about $82,000.
This year, we plan to spend less than we raise. About $14,700 will go back into our savings. This helps rebuild our reserve, so the PTSA can start the 2027–28 school year with more money for students.
Most of our income arrives in the fall, but some costs come before school starts. A healthy starting balance lets us:
Buy student agendas and Orca folders before the first day of school
Book after-school class providers during the summer
Plan the 2027–28 budget around money we already have, not money we still hope to raise
Our starting balance each year
We start 2026–27 with $45,121. From 2016 to 2025, the median starting balance was $81,816.
|
||||
| 2016–17 | $93.7K | |||
| 2017–18 | $81.1K | |||
| 2018–19 | $82.1K | |||
| 2019–20 | $74.8K | |||
| 2020–21 | $95.6K | |||
| 2021–22 | $87.8K | |||
| 2022–23* | $84.9K | |||
| 2023–24† | $70.9K | |||
| 2024–25† | $76.2K | |||
| 2025–26 | $81.5K | |||
| 2026–27 | $45.1K |
Balance on July 1 of each school year. Dashed line: median starting balance, 2016–2025. The median is the middle value: half of those years started higher, and half started lower.
Sources: IRS Form 990-EZ filings for 2016–2025 (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer); PTSA year-end books for 2023–24 and 2024–25 (†), because those filings understate the balance; 2025–26 Income & Expense Report for 2026–27. * 2022–23 is calculated from the 2021 and 2023 filings. Amounts rounded.
Last year (2025–26, actual)
| Raised | $76,300 |
| Spent | $115,500 |
| Result | −$39,200 |
This year (2026–27, plan)
| Raise | $68,351 |
| Spend | $53,670 |
| Result | +$14,681 |
Last year's largest costs, compared with this year's plan
Some of last year's spending was one-time. Other lines were increased in the revised budget members approved in February 2026. This year's plan sets these lines at amounts our regular income can support.
| Budget line | 2025–26 actual | 2026–27 plan |
|---|---|---|
| Sensory room One-time grant to the school |
$10.0K | $0 |
| Field trips | $10.2K | $0.5K |
| STEM and STEAM lessons | $12.3K | $7.0K |
| Classroom materials for teachers | $9.8K | $5.2K |
| Staff appreciation | $8.1K | $3.0K |
| Emergency preparedness | $5.4K | $0 |
| Special services | $3.7K | $1.0K |
Source: 2025–26 Income & Expense Report and the proposed 2026–27 budget. Amounts rounded.
General fund only. After-school class fees and restricted funds pass through and are not included. Last year's amounts are rounded.
Where the money goes
60% of planned spending goes directly to students: learning, clubs, and help for those who need it. Open a group to see what is inside.
Learning at school $21,700 40.4%
- STEM and STEAM lessons
- Classroom materials for teachers
- Student agendas and folders
- Performing arts
- Grants for teachers' classroom projects
- Music and PE equipment
- Special services
- Library resources or an author visit
- Playground equipment
Clubs and student activities $8,500 15.8%
- Stipends for the drama program
- Running and stacking club
- 5th grade promotion
- Green Team
- Student leadership
- Safety Patrol
- Reflections arts program
Help for students who need it $2,000 3.7%
- Support for students from low-income families
- Field trip scholarships
Family events and fundraisers $6,700 12.5%
- Science night
- Back to school event
- End of year party
- Field day
- International event
- Fall fundraiser costs
- Sports-night and car wash fundraiser costs
Teachers, staff, and volunteers $6,220 11.6%
- Staff appreciation
- Stipend for the teacher liaison, who connects the PTSA with Alcott teachers
- Volunteer thanks
- Awards for volunteers and educators
Basic costs: insurance, storage, website $4,925 9.2%
- Storage
- Insurance, tax preparation, and state fees
- Website, newsletter, and reader board
- Postage and supplies
- Training and state PTA meetings
- Bank and software fees
Membership and PTA dues $2,625 4.9%
- Membership drive
- Part of every membership fee goes to Washington State PTA and National PTA
- Lake Washington PTSA Council scholarship fund
Set aside for unexpected costs $1,000 1.9%
- Kept for costs nobody planned for. Spent only if needed; if unused, it stays in the bank.
Total planned spending$53,670
Grouped in plain words. The official line-by-line budget, with the treasurer's categories and amounts, is sent to members by email.
Where the money comes from
88% of our income comes from two sources: the fall fundraiser and employer matching gifts
- Fall fundraiserFamily gifts to our yearly fundraiser $40,000 58.5%
- Employer matching giftsCompanies that match their employees' donations and volunteer hours $20,000 29.3%
- MembershipsFamily and staff PTSA memberships $3,950 5.8%
- Spirit wear, yearbook, and ticket salesIncluding sports-night and car wash tickets $3,000 4.4%
- Donations, sponsors, and otherGeneral donations, business sponsors, shopping programs, event income, and bank interest $1,401 2.0%
Total planned income$68,351
General fund only. Class fees for after-school enrichment and restricted gifts pass through for a set purpose, so they are not included here.
Money that passes through
Some money comes in for one set purpose and goes right back out for that purpose. It is not part of the general budget above, and the PTSA does not use it for anything else.
After-school classes
Families pay class fees. The PTSA pays the class providers.
Difference: $350, from small fees (e.g. Spelling Bee).
Restricted funds
Money raised for one specific purpose. We spend it only on that purpose.
Difference: $0. Every dollar goes to the purpose it was raised for.
Funds included
- LibraryRaised at library events such as the book sale, run by our school librarian with PTSA help. Spent on the Alcott library.$5,000
- Amazing Reading ChallengeFunds collected with PTSA help to add more books to the reading challenge collection.$700
- Membership helpSponsorships that pay PTSA membership for families and staff who ask for help.$200
MEETING SUMMARIES
Summaries and documents
Short summaries of past meetings, our standing rules, and how to get the full minutes.