The Great Falls Public Schools board voted unanimously during their Jan. 27 meeting to authorize the community-led fundraising effort to field high school baseball teams in 2026.
n August, the school board voted to approve adding baseball in the spring of 2026, contingent on a committee being formed under the guidance of GFPS administration; consideration of four factors of betterment of students and baseball in Great Falls, interest and support, financial viability and sustainability, and feasibility; a report being submitted to the board for review by June 1, 2025; and that the startup and operating costs for the first three years would be privately funded. The plan must also outline how Title 9 requirements will be met.
GFPS working to add high school baseball
The committee, which includes Kali Tuckerman, Zac Griffin and Jon Boutilier as community members, plus district staff, has been meeting since October and the board will use their June 2025 report to make a final decision by Sept. 1.
Lance Boyd, GFPS assistant superintendent, said the fundraising timeline, meaning funds are in the bank, needed to start baseball in 2026 is:
- July 1: startup costs: $101,000
- Nov. 30: first year program costs: $95,050
- Jan. 20, 2026: half of second year program costs: $47,525
- July 1, 2026: half of second year program costs: $47,525
- Dec. 30, 2026: half of third year program costs: $47,525
- June 30, 2027: half third year program costs: $47,525
GFPS appoints three to baseball advisory committee
“Yes this is ambitious, but this is the only way we can have baseball start in 2026,” Boyd told the board during their Jan. 13 meeting. “We want baseball to happen,” but if those fundraising thresholds aren’t met, staff will recommend delaying baseball for another fiscal year.
Boyd is continuing to monitor the Title 9 implications in terms of equality between girls and boys sports in terms of facilities and field access.
GFPS board votes to add high school baseball, with contingencies
Under the board’s approval to start high school baseball, the program will be community funded for the first three years, which is an estimated $386,150.
