ST. BRENDAN PARISH SCHOOL

10049 NE 195TH ST

BOTHELL   WA   98011-2931

March 21, 2007

 

Dear School Families,

 

The budget for 2007-08 has been approved by Father Jim, the Parish Finance Council, and School Commission.  Salaries and benefits make up 85% of our expenses. For next year, salaries will increase 3% to 4% and benefits about 5%. The remaining 15% of our school expenses include supplies, program expenses, operations and maintenance, contracted services, business taxes and assessments, insurance, and utilities.

 

The tuition increase for next year will be 7% for an active contributing parishioner and a 10.6% increase for non-parishioners. The tuition amounts are:

One child                    $3,745.00                                Non Parishioner         $5,200.00

Two children              $5,510.00                                per child

Three or more                        $7,062.00

 

All areas of revenue are increasing for next year including tuition, parish subsidy, book fees, and PTO and Development commitments. The increases allow for improved salaries and benefits, security for the school building, increase in Reading Specialist’s hours, new Reading curriculum for grades 3, 4, and 5, and reserve funds for future textbooks.

PTO has a large financial commitment each year that helps offset the difference between tuition and the actual cost to educate a student. For example, this year the cost to educate one student is approximately $4,000.00. For one child, the difference between tuition and actual cost is $500.00; for two children   $2,850.00; and for three children $5,400.00. Our student cost is very low because the parish pays the entire $1.5 million dollar debt for the school remodel in 2001.

Next year, the PTO is committed to raising $82,000 for the school’s operating budget, $6,000 for tuition assistance, $7,500 to subsidize our copy machines, $10,000 for technology, and about $16,185 for additional school expenses such as continuing teacher education, principal discretionary fund, office supplies, student enrichment, teacher classroom funds and wish list items, PE equipment, and water for the portable. You can certainly be very proud of the fundraising that PTO accomplishes!

 

 

Father Jim, the PTO Executive Board and committee chairs, and I intend to continue the tradition of our annual school auction. The funds raised at the auction (other than Fund an Item) are not for specific enrichment programs or ‘extras.’ Those funds contribute to staff salaries and benefits and other operating expenses. Because the auction is the largest PTO fundraiser, it is crucial to have the Auction and Procurement chairs in place before summer. Without chairs by June 1st, a successful auction is very difficult to accomplish. The PTO back up plan requires a tuition increase to insure PTO can meet its financial commitment. The Auction team is reviewing this year’s auction successes, challenges, and areas to improve. Please share your suggestions directly with them. 

 

After lengthy discussion, the School Commission recommended the following PTO requirements:

V       Procure or donate $150.00 in new goods, services, or cash for the School Auction and contribute $10.00 per child toward the class basket.

      OR

V       If the Auction and Procurement Chairs are not in place by June 1, 2007, there will not be a school auction in 2008. Tuition would be increased to cover the PTO financial commitment. The amount for 2007-08 will be $500.00 per family. The increase can be paid in one sum by July 1, 2007 or in ten monthly installments of $50.00.

V       Fulfill volunteer hours as follows: 45 hours for a two parent family and 30 hours for a single parent family. Each family may buy out their volunteer hours at a rate of $20.00 per hour payable in full by September 15, 2007.

V       Non compliance families: Families who do not fulfill all parish, school and PTO obligations as shown on the Registration contract by May 1st will be required to meet with the Pastor and Principal regarding their circumstances.

 

Father Jim and I have approved these recommendations. If you have any questions about your commitments and obligations to the parish, school, or PTO, please contact me. We look forward to an excellent year in 2007-08. Thank you for your continued support for Catholic education.

 

 

In Christ,

 

 

Mrs. Chris Lunn

Principal

 

 

Cc: Father Jim Northrop, via email 3-22-07, School bulletin 3-28-07