Where the Money Goes

See what each Sunset PTO activity brings in, what it costs, and how the money left after expenses supports our students and school.

The big picture

$211,750 total income expected in 2026–27
$93,000 direct cost of events and products
$118,750 net funds raised after those costs
$214,745 invested in students and the school
$211,750total income − $93,000activity costs = $118,750net raised
$118,750net raised + $95,995from reserves = $214,745for students & school

What each activity earns

Money received is not the same as money raised. This comparison shows the direct cost of each activity and what remains to support the school.

Activity Money received Direct cost Net for school
Gala$50K tickets + $55K auction $105,000 $50,000 $55,000
Color Run $45,000 $8,000 $37,000
Frosty Holiday Shop $15,000 $10,000 $5,000
Memberships & donations $15,000 — $15,000
YearbookBudgeted to break even $15,000 $15,000 $0
Sunset Spirit StoreBudgeted to break even $10,000 $10,000 $0
Other incomeMarquee, community nights, yard sale & interest $6,750 — $6,750
Total $211,750 $93,000 $118,750
How the gala works: $50,000 in ticket sales pays the $50,000 cost of putting on the event, so those two amounts are a wash. The $55,000 auction proceeds are the gala’s net contribution to the school.

Yearbook and the Spirit Store are services for Sunset families and are budgeted to break even rather than generate fundraising income.

How we invest in students and the school

The PTO plans to put $214,745 directly into classrooms, programs, student experiences, staff support, and our campus in 2026–27.

Teachers & classrooms
 
$69,900
Student events & activities
 
$35,300
Curriculum programs
 
$32,050
Principal’s fund
 
$26,000
Staff appreciation & community
 
$21,150
Campus & play equipment
 
$19,500
Operations
 
$10,845

Teachers & classrooms includes $800 classroom grants, specialist and library grants, the teacher supply store, camp scholarships, and fourth-grade field-trip buses. Student events includes STEAM Night, One School One Book, fifth-grade promotion, field day, talent show, and more. Operations includes insurance, bank fees, taxes, and this website.

Putting past fundraising to work now

The PTO currently has $400,000 in reserve from prior fundraising years. The board approved using about $96,000 of those savings in 2026–27 so today’s students benefit through larger classroom grants, curriculum programs, camp scholarships, and other school support.

What’s new in 2026–27

🍎

Bigger classroom grants

Every teacher’s annual grant grows from $600 to $800, with extra support for four new and transferring teachers.

📚

$32,050 for curriculum

A new budget category funds two full years of IXL, Mystery Science, Scholastic, and Learning A-Z for the whole school.

⛺

5× more camp scholarships

Camp grants grow from $1,000 to $5,000 so no student misses camp because of cost.

💛

More staff appreciation

Staff appreciation and staff lunches combine into one $7,500 program, plus $2,000 for years-of-service recognition.

Help make it possible

Joining the PTO is a donation, not a time commitment. Memberships and donations go directly toward the net funds supporting Sunset students.

Join the Sunset PTO →