By Megan Wehring
WIMBERLEY — Everybody has a safe haven. For some students, that place is in the classrooms and hallways at Katherine Anne Porter School (KAPS).
KAPS is a public charter school, with creativity and diversity as a part of its mission, located in Wimberley serving the Hays County area and surrounding cities. The school has become a family to many, a place where every single person is welcome.
But after receiving word that the academic environment could change, thousands signed an online petition to preserve the school. Over 50 parents and students, including alumni, also expressed their concerns at the KAPS Board of Directors meeting held on Monday, Jan. 31.
The Board considered a merger for KAPS with ResponsiveEd, a charter school operator, for a Premier High School; this type of school is a college-preparatory program that prioritizes credit recovery, credit acceleration and career and technical education (CTE).Through Premier, students would complete this program self-paced, which is fairly independent study, with a teacher present in the classroom.
“We heard you,” said Ronnie Pinkerton, former Board President. “We thank you for your input. It is incredibly refreshing to see this kind of activation of the KAPS community, the community, staff, alumni and current students. We feel there is sufficient time to get together between the board and the community to look at strategies and solutions.”
The Board postponed the decision by 90 days, allowing the creation of a KAPS Community Strategy Committee that board member Cynthia Milonzi is leading. The main issues that the committee is addressing are the school’s finances and enrollment figures.
Milonzi explained that KAPS needs approximately $277,000 (rounded to $300,000) to cover the budget shortfall for this year only. The school has a mortgage balance of approximately $76,000 (rounded to $100,000) and they added an additional $100,000 as a buffer that could take care of some building maintenance. Milonzi’s goal of $500,000 is for the 90-day postponement.
“We are going to do everything we can with all of the input we can get,” Milonzi told the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch, “and all of the energy that was created to raise the funds to keep the school going. We have to talk about how to increase enrollment and how we keep our good teachers on board. I don’t think five or six people alone can do this but I truly believe the community can.”
Why KAPS?
Founded in the late ‘90s, KAPS has become more than an institution to many. Even years after graduation, alumni showed up to voice that the school is like no other and it should remain for future generations.
“I don’t think most alumni from high school will show up with tears in their eyes trying to make sure this is a place and opportunity for our future generations in a way that we did,” said Alisha Berber, alum and founder of the KAPS PTSO. “We feel so very lucky to have the staff that we have and the teachers we have. What makes KAPS so unique is the fact that it’s a small school where all of the teachers know the students very personally, care and show up. We need those teachers. We appreciate those teachers. It’s something you can not duplicate.”
Berber added that KAPS is a place where all students are welcome, especially those who don’t necessarily “fit the mold of regular schools.”
Parent Lindsey Michelle Allen agreed, based on her daughter’s experience.
“Traditional public schooling did not work for my student,” Allen said. “In order to thrive, she required a different type of learning environment that a school district was unable to provide. After a very difficult 8th grade year, we began to research other options for her education. KAPS was originally at the top of our list because of the school’s location. Ultimately, we chose KAPS after speaking with several alumni about the positive impact the school had made on their lives.”
Some students even discover KAPS to be their saving grace, parent and alum Jordan Elliott found out after watching her daughter battle daily with emotional tribulations throughout her eighth grade year.
“KAPS has a purpose to provide a unique, sometimes last chance, educational opportunity to students,” Elliott explained. “But beyond that, to provide a place that nurtures the whole child, fosters creativity, invites citizenship beyond the classroom and in a nutshell – changes and saves lives.”
