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Boosters tell Norwalk City board how fundraising fills gaps — athletic group pledges $1 million for Reagan Center expansion
Summary
Presidents of Norwalk High School's academic, athletic and music booster clubs brief the board on scholarships, capital projects and fundraising methods, including Venmo and website forms; athletic boosters say they have committed $1,000,000 toward a planned Reagan Center expansion and music boosters described a $68,000 uniform purchase funded entirely by fundraising.
Nicole Clark, president of the Norwalk Academic Booster Club, told the Board of Education the group supports student achievement with scholarships, awards and enrichment activities and raised funds through memberships, local-business gifts and the Schlink Foundation. "Last year, we awarded seven scholarships for $1,000 each," Clark said, and she described quarterly honor-roll breakfasts that draw about 250 students.
Shelly Weibensinger, president of the Norwalk High School Athletic Boosters, listed multi-year capital contributions and recurring support for teams. She said the boosters contributed $360,000 toward a stadium expansion, roughly $200,000 toward a tennis court complex with LED lighting and paid $25,000 toward track repair. "The biggest project we have coming in the future is expansion of our Reagan Center," Weibensinger said. "We've committed $1,000,000 to that expansion." She described ongoing revenue sources — concessions and pooled donations — and said the boosters provide scholarships and transportation for postseason teams.
Elizabeth Burr, president of the Music Boosters, described the boosters' 501(c)(3) structure and its fundraising calendar. Burr said the group paid about $68,000 for new band uniforms and recently covered an additional $16,000 order as participation grew. The boosters also fund band camp meals (about $4,000), clinicians, awards and items such as polo shirts for middle-school performers. Burr encouraged the public to use the membership form on the district website and said the boosters accept Venmo.
Board members thanked the groups and discussed ways to make booster Venmo links or membership forms easier to find on district channels. The board said it would explore helping publicize donation options to increase participation and reduce reliance on general-fund dollars for extracurricular support.
The presentations did not require board action. The boosters announced upcoming fundraisers, including a Jersey Mike's promotion to support the music boosters, and encouraged community members to contact them via the district booster pages for more information.
