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West Haven educator's social-media fundraising has cleared student lunch debts, fundraiser organizer tells board
Summary
Katie Jo Christiansen, a special educator at West Haven Elementary, has used social media to raise funds to pay student lunch balances at multiple schools; the superintendent and board recognized her work during the meeting.
The Weber School District board recognized a West Haven Elementary special educator who used social media to raise funds to clear negative lunch balances for students across several elementary schools.
Juliana Wardberry introduced Katie Jo Christiansen and described Christiansen's fundraising approach on TikTok to address students who did not have lunch money. Wardberry said the effort was designed to meet students' basic needs that affect classroom performance; she told the board the campaign had raised funds to pay off lunch accounts at West Haven and at several other elementary schools.
Christiansen told the board that, "we actually have over $17,000 raised so far," and she appeared with family members who were recognized in the meeting. Board members and the superintendent praised Christiansen for using social media to mobilize community support for students.
Ending
The board applauded Christiansen and invited her to join others receiving recognition that evening; the district noted the fundraiser in its administrator-spotlight segment but did not indicate any subsequent district policy action related to meal debt.
