Elementary walkathon raises $52,483 for Austin Public School District programs
Summary
PTC representatives told the school board the third annual all-elementary walkathon raised $52,483, including business donations and a Hornell Charitable Trust contribution; funds will support PBIS incentives, family engagement nights and school-level needs.
PTC representatives reported that the district's third annual all-elementary walkathon raised $52,483 this year, a total that combined student donations, $8,700 in business contributions and a $9,000 grant from the Hornell Charitable Trust. "We raised a total of $52,483," said the PTC representative during the board meeting.
Board members were told the walkathon serves Southgate, Banfield and Edelman Summer elementary schools. The PTC explained the distribution process: each school receives funds based on student counts, guaranteeing a minimum of roughly $8,000 per elementary school from the event. The PTC also said shared district priorities this year include Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) incentives and family engagement nights; individual schools may use part of their allocation for building-specific needs — Banfield, for example, used prior funds to buy flexible library seating.
Board members asked about outreach to local businesses and parent engagement. PTC volunteers said early-year door-to-door outreach and a shared Google document help coordinate donor outreach; they encouraged parents and caregivers to participate in planning the walk path and in decisions about how school shares are spent.
The board applauded the volunteers and asked the PTC to share contact information for families interested in helping. No formal vote or district budget action was required; the report was informational.
