Katherine Anne Porter – a not-for-profit charter school in Wimberley – had plans to replace their roof. A Music Fest scheduled for November 10 with some legendary Austin musicians was intented to raise funds for just that, but then the rains came. Fourteen inches of rain overloaded the aging roof. Water poured in from above as well as from under the doors, flooding seven classrooms along with the gymnasium, cafeteria, art studio, and all of the staff offices.
Like most Central Texas homes and businesses, the school, which goes by the acronym KAPS, does not have flood insurance. While some of the damage may be covered by their regular policy, a good deal of it will not. So now, they need to raise even more funds to cover the added costs of replacing ruined carpet, furniture, school books, and more. The school is closed for a couple of days while parents, students, staff and community members pitch in for a speedy cleanup.
That community spirit evokes a similar incident in the history of one of Austin’s most successful businesses: Whole Foods Market. Already the major sponsor of the KAPS Music Fest, Whole Foods now has even more reason to help. They remember the power of the flood that destroyed their first store back in 1980 – and the power of the community that came together to help them reopen and move forward.
KAPS is kind of like the “Whole Foods” of schools. Students don't always “fit the mold,” and that's one of the reasons they excel at KAPS, where individuality and uniqueness are truly valued, among both students and staff. At KAPS, they embrace differences, and students who may not have been successful elsewhere have a true chance to succeed and grow.
A common misconception is that charter schools receive the same public funding as traditional schools. In reality, charter schools actually receive substantially less in a number of areas, including funds for maintaining their buildings. For example, a traditional public school gets $675 a year per student for facilities funding while a charter school gets none.
So, what’s a charter school to do? Well, KAPS has put together an amazing lineup of musicians and is inviting the public to come out to hear some great music, shop their silent auction & raffles, enjoy some good food and have fun with your kids — under 12 get in free.
You can help KAPS rise above the flood damage by coming to their Music Fest on Sunday, November 10, at Drippings Springs Ranch Park. Gates open at 3:30 and the musical line up is:
4pm: Legendary Flatlanders Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock
5pm: KAPS Band
6pm: Father and Son Kevin Welch & Dustin Welch
7pm: Sahara Smith
8pm: Eliza Gilkyson
Go to the KAPS website for directions, more information, to buy tickets online or simply make an online donation, kapschool.org.
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