Great Falls Public Schools is moving forward with fielding high school baseball teams in 2026.

The community-led fundraising committee met their initial milestone of $101,000 by July 31 to cover startup costs.

They next have to raise $95,050 by Jan. 31 for the first year’s operational costs.

Startup costs include uniforms, batting helmets, equipment and basic field maintenance equipment.

The ongoing costs include coaching, Montana High School Association dues, umpire fees, field rentals and field maintenance.

Lance Boyd, assistant superintendent, said that he’ll come back to the school board at their next meeting to formally accept the $101,000 into the budget so staff can spend that money and hire coaches.

Community group beginning fundraising for GFPS baseball

The district opened head baseball coach positions for both Great Falls High and C.M. Russell High in May, contingent on the community fundraising effort.

Playing and coaching experience is desired for the position that runs March 16-May 30 for $5,530.

Boyd told The Electric that the district had received more than 20 applicants for the two coaching positions.

Since coaching contracts go out around the end of January, baseball coaches can be named, but if the fundraising committee doesn’t meet the next goal, Boyd said those positions won’t be locked in until those funds are committed.

The fundraising committee now has to raise the $95,050 of operating costs by Jan. 31 for the next three seasons to sustain high school baseball.

About two thirds of that annual operating cost is transportation, Boyd said.

GFPS working to add high school baseball

During the Aug. 25 school board meeting, Boyd said that the initial goal “was very lofty,” and as of Friday, the committee had $122,807 in the bank.

Boyd said he sent a lot of emails over the last few months asking the fundraising committee’s progress and saying he wasn’t sure they’d make it, but “we made it.”

He said Mike Henneberg, the district’s athletic director, was ready to pay the MHSA dues to field baseball in the spring.

Zac Griffin, a member of the fundraising committee, said “we knew it was going to be tough,” but was confident that baseball would start in the spring.

Kali Tuckerman, a member of the fundraising committee, said that she thinks this second phase of fundraising would go quicker since they met their first goal though some may wait till November for end of year giving.

“I’m proud of this community for stepping up for these kids,” she said.

GFPS appoints three to baseball advisory committee

In January, the board voted unanimously to authorize the community-led fundraising effort to field high school baseball teams in 2026 after hearing a report from Boyd and Henneberg on the feasibility of baseball.

In August 2024, 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.

“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 said in January that he’s 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.