Fundraising for Campus Safety & Security

Dear Athena Community,

We are writing to provide you with a bit of financial transparency, as well as kick-off this year’s fundraising efforts, which will be specifically geared towards campus safety and security.

I never dreamed campus safety and security would need to be its own line item in a preschool budget. Prior to the 2022-2023 school year (when we raised funds to build the eight-foot perimeter fences), Athena’s costs associated with campus safety and security were minimal, covered generally under our maintenance budget, and not factored into our annual tuition prices. As the reality of dangers to school campuses and the changing nature of our growing city began to emerge, we responded with additional safety and security measures on our campus, such as installing shatter-proof film on all of our windows and glass doors, increasing the number of cameras around campus, installing a school-wide PA system, and seeking additional professional training for our staff and faculty. These measures were one-time, project-based costs, paid for by our newly instated Facilities Fee. 

As you know, this year we decided to elevate our campus safety and security measures with the implementation of armed security guards, through Watchmen Protective Services. Our initial intention was to implement their services on a trial basis; we were not sure how this decision would be received by our community, and frankly we were not sure how we would feel about it. We have decided to retain our Watchmen team members, Estella and Randy. This decision was based on overwhelmingly positive feedback from you, our community members. And admittedly, we all feel a bit safer with them here. If we as a community decide to keep their services for the long term, then for the first time ever our security costs will be substantial and ongoing. Hence, the need for campus safety and security to have its own line item. 

Honestly, I made the decision without being sure how we would pay for it long term, but it felt important, and I knew we would find a way. We are currently allocating 100% of the Facilities Fee towards our Watchmen team, but we will fall short by about $29,200 for their services for this school year and summer camp based on our projected annual spend. The Facilities Fee covers their hours this year from 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. until early spring. We would also like the option to be able to extend their hours to include being on campus until at least 5:00 p.m., when campus closes.

All this to say, we are kicking off our fundraising efforts early this school year, with the intention of securing enough funding to continue the services of our Watchmen team through the rest of the school year, and to extend their hours to cover the After School Program. 

If each of our families were able to contribute $147.47 per child, we would be able to cover the $29,200 delta without having to pull from other areas of our budget. If we raised an additional $16,350 by the end of 2024, we could extend Randy and Estella’s hours beginning in January, providing protection for our After School families and staff. If you would like to contribute any dollar amount, we would be enormously grateful if you would do so via the below link. 

If you are curious about how our Tuition (including Early Arrival and After School), Enrollment Fees, and Materials Fees are allocated, below we’ve included a breakdown of percentages. These numbers do not include Summer Camp Tuition or Salaries, which we structure in a way that allows us to break even.

School Year Tuition and Enrollment Fees:

Materials Fees:

In an effort to foster equity within our community, rather than drastically increasing tuition next year or instating another fee for all of our families, we would like to try providing an ongoing opportunity for our community to contribute what they are able to our campus safety and security, and see if that meets our needs.

We still plan to have our super fun annual fundraising event, Casino Night, on March 1, and planning is in full swing. We hope to see you there! 

If it is not in your budget to contribute anything, no worries! We are just grateful to have you in our community. As always, I am continually grateful for your unwavering support. It is our community that makes Athena so special.

Warmly,

Lisl