Jefferson County Schools’ Transportation Department Works to Raise Money for Texas School District Ravaged by Hurricane Harvey

Charles Town, W.Va. – Members of the Jefferson County Schools Transportation Department have organized a community fundraiser to support a school district devastated by Hurricane Harvey with the hopes of raising $20,000.

Through business sponsorship support from 41 local businesses and the creation of T-shirts, the transportation department has currently raised $6,100. The lion’s share of fundraising efforts will take place on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 throughout Jefferson County. Members of the transportation department will be present at a total of 10 locations throughout the weekend. The transportation department will volunteer their time to park a bus at stores like Weis, Food Lion, Tractor Supply and more to solicit donations for the hurricane victims. A bake sale will be held at Long John Silver's to raise additional funds.

The funds will directly benefit Aransas County Independent School District in Rockport, Texas. The school district operates a total of five schools that were destroyed after Hurricane Harvey ripped through their community. A single elementary school will open in late October, but the secondary schools have been so badly damaged that the school district is currently operating out of 80 portables that have been placed on a soccer field to house the middle and high school students.

“We knew we wanted to help a smaller school district that wouldn’t get as many resources after such a widespread disaster,” said Karen Nelson, bus driver at Jefferson County Schools. After watching the news and seeing the devastation, I knew we had to do something.”

To learn more about Jefferson County Schools, visit boe.jeff.k12.wv.us.

Featured

  • school building with glowing circuit board patterns

    AI Is Coming to Schools — But Most School Buildings Still Run on Institutional Memory

    As school districts race to introduce AI into classrooms, administration, and curriculum planning, another conversation is happening behind the scenes: How prepared are school facilities themselves for the operational demands AI will create?

  • California Middle School Breaks Ground on Major Renovation Project

    The Hillsborough City School District (HCSD) in Hillsborough, Calif., recently began construction on new multipurpose and administration facilities for Crocker Middle School, according to a news release.

  • New Jersey Day School Opens New Science & Entrepreneurship Building

    Saddle River Day School (SRDS) in Saddle River, N.J., recently celebrated the grand opening of the new Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship, according to a news release. The school partnered with DIG Architecture on the 32,000 square foot facility, completed on a 17-month construction timeline in time for the beginning of the new school year.

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.