PTA Budget Update

February 11, 2026

In January, the PTA received an anonymous $50,000 donation to support public education at Bradford. It was understood that the donor’s intention was inspiration for all of Bradford’s community. The plans for the donations are to be put towards projects with lasting impact for all students.

Three main initiatives have been identified: an annual teacher grant program, a magnet day event similar to other schools’ celebrations, and outdoor space revitalization.

  1. Annual Teacher Grant: The teacher grant would fund large-scale projects benefiting the entire school for three years. This would be a single large grant in addition to other grants already offered to the teachers. Examples include school wide creative writing workshops, new instruments for music, books for One School, One Book program.
  2. Magnet Day: The Magnet Day would be a day similar to Watchung’s STEAM Night, Northeast’s Global Festival, or Bullock’s Eco-Day, utilizing MSU and our University magnet theme for an annual free community celebration that excites students, exposes them to many areas of study at MSU, and brings the community together.
  3. Outdoor Revitalization Project: For over a decade, Bradford PTA has tried to have the field fixed. We’ve paid for sod, the grass has been reseeded at least 3 times, and we asked that repairs be included as part of the bond referendum (they were not). Ultimately, there are 3 separate issues that need to be addressed, (1) broken irrigation system, (2) poor/failing drainage, (3) failing retaining wall. The proposal is a multi-year outdoor space revitalization that would include:
    1. Moving and updating the raised garden beds
    2. Plantings and natural materials to create an outdoor classroom and “chill” space
    3. If possible, work with the district to help toward field repairs

For more details on the outdoor revitalization project, see the Green Team’s presentation here – Bradford Quiet Play Area ‘Chill Zone’ Concept

If you are interested in helping in any of these initiatives, please reach out ptapres@bradfordpta.org.

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