Facing the revision of the 2025-26 budget, the Seattle Public Schools Administration has estimated that 5.8 teaching positions will be cut. Each year, the school’s budget is determined based on the projected enrollment provided by administration. These predictions for the September enrollment are typically made in March, and the budget for next year is crafted based on that. In recent years, however, enrollment decreased notably, with the school’s student population declining from 1,644 to 1,509 students between October, 2023 and October, 2024 — representing a 7.7% decrease. Next year, SPS is projecting an additional decline in enrollment level.
As a result of this enrollment decrease, the budget for the upcoming year reflects a loss of funding. In order to meet the budgetary constraints, cuts will be necessary. Based on seniority rules, newer teachers would be the first to be let go. However, the school is fighting to keep as many positions as possible by trying to secure outside funding. If enough funding is secured to keep a teacher, that proposal can be submitted to the district and if enrollment is up by October, the school will be given additional money to hire more staff. By October, hiring teachers is much more difficult because by then cut staff will have likely found other employment.
The Building Leadership Team (BLT), a body established under the current teacher contract, is responsible for making important leadership decisions at Garfield High School. Composed of faculty, staff, and community representatives, the BLT is working hard on alternative funding sources to minimize staff cuts. The school has been successful in securing funding through the PTSA, which is offering grants to help retain positions that would otherwise be eliminated. Additionally, members of the administrative team are reaching out to other communities and nonprofit organizations in hopes of securing grants to support the retention of staff positions.
One of the school’s top priorities is increasing enrollment. Bill Brewer, a parent representative on the BLT, explained, “The PTSA and the Garfield admin team have been working hard to share the good stories about Garfield.” He continued, “We’re trying to get current 8th grade families excited about enrolling their students at Garfield, both now and in the future.” He emphasized that the strength of Garfield lies in its sense of community, a bond that will help the school persevere through difficult times, including Garfield’s struggle with gun violence. Brewer stated, “As much as possible, we want to preserve what Garfield has and has had for a long time, and we think that is the best way to get through crises. It doesn’t make sense to us that solving problems is done by removing the people that have a connection to the community. We need to strengthen that community and keep it going if we’re going to be able to get ourselves through these crises together.”