Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Board explores $25 activity fee, grant‑writer and alumni fundraising; STEM guitar materials could prompt a separate fee
Loading...
Summary
Trustees discussed charging a modest activity fee (board asked the administration to model a $25/year scenario), contracting grant‑writing services on a per‑grant or per‑diem basis, outreach to alumni and sponsors, and asked administration to compute an equitable per‑student materials cost for the popular STEM guitar elective.
Bensalem Township School District trustees debated several revenue‑generation ideas aimed at preserving extracurriculars without broad program cuts, including a modest activity fee, paid grant‑writing services and stronger alumni outreach.
Several trustees suggested an annual activity fee for students to help offset co‑curricular costs; an exploratory figure of $25 per student per year was proposed for modeling and the board asked the administration to run revenue estimates before the next workshop. Trustees agreed that any fee program should include a waiver mechanism for families that qualify for free or reduced‑price lunch, following the district’s existing AP exam waiver practice.
Board members also supported pursuing a contract or per‑grant arrangement for a professional grant writer — a model that would avoid creating a salaried position but would let the district pursue larger, competitive grants. Dr. Velasquez and other administrators noted the district has successfully obtained sizable state grants in the past but warned that finding the right grant‑writing expertise can be time‑intensive.
The board discussed partnering with alumni and local sponsors (giving drives, targeted sponsorships) to underwrite fees or specific class costs. The district’s solicitor was asked to review legal constraints distinguishing gifts and sponsorships and whether advertising/sponsorship policies need to be formalized.
Trustees flagged one high‑cost elective in particular: STEM guitar. A presenter said materials for multiple sections had previously been reported in the low‑to‑mid five‑figure range; trustees asked administration to calculate a clear per‑student materials fee and notify students before course registration deadlines. Because transcript numbers were inconsistent in public remarks, the board specifically asked staff to return with precise, reconciled figures rather than rely on offhand estimates.
The board directed administration to return with an activity‑fee revenue model, a proposed waiver mechanism tied to free/reduced eligibility, a scope and cost estimate for grant‑writer contracting, and a per‑student materials calculation for the STEM guitar elective.
No fee or contract was adopted at the workshop; all measures were advanced for analysis and public feedback ahead of a formal budget vote.
