Board approves PEAF spending plan amendment to add a $150,000 grants-writer line

The San Francisco Unified School District board amended and supported a Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEAF/Prop H) spending plan to include a grants-writer position and program support.

Vice President Kim proposed adding a dedicated grants-writer to the spending plan, arguing that the district’s increasing budget pressure made grant-seeking capacity a priority. Staff said salary and total-cost estimates vary; a conservative midpoint estimate for salary and benefits was given as about $75,000, with total implementation costs including subscriptions and infrastructure estimated at roughly $115,000. Staff also recommended flexibility and said a higher range up to $150,000 (including benefits and program support) could be appropriate to recruit a candidate with experience in federal grant work.

Board members discussed the likely funding source and staff pointed to district reserves as the most logical source (staff noted a posted reserve of about $8.3 million). After discussion and a clarification on the dollar figure, the board recorded general consensus to add a $150,000 line item for a grants-writer position and support, to be funded from reserves. A roll call on the amendment was recorded in the transcript, with six ayes.

Supporters said a grants writer could help generate outside revenue that would offset the position’s cost; other members cautioned about underestimating the market rate for experienced federal grant professionals and emphasized conservative budgeting and accountability for results. Staff offered to provide cost-range and hiring-timeframe follow-up as the item moves toward final adoption.

The amendment to the PEAF spending plan was incorporated into the proposed spending plan that the board reviewed that evening. Staff said further details and implementation planning would be developed and shared with board members.