[StBernard] Louisiana Leaders Announce Housing Program for New Orleans Teachers

Westley Annis westley at da-parish.com
Thu Sep 14 23:28:21 EDT 2006


Gee, I wonder if any teachers in St. Bernard or Plaquemines could have used
these? Ah yes...the pigment issue probably.




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Louisiana Leaders Announce Housing Program for New Orleans Teachers

Program to Provide 250 Furnished Housing Units

NEW ORLEANS, La. (September 13, 2006) - New Orleans teachers will be
offered 250 two-bedroom, fully furnished rent-free modular housing units, in
accordance with a joint effort announced today by Governor Kathleen
Babineaux Blanco, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), the City of New
Orleans and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"There has never been a better time for the best and brightest
teachers to return to New Orleans," said Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco.
"The city is full of hope and optimism as we continue our monumental
recovery. We are doing everything in our power to provide affordable housing
so good teachers can return to the classroom, where New Orleans children
need them most."

The modular housing units will be installed on Recovery School
District (RSD) and Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) properties in New
Orleans to be used primarily by public school teachers within RSD, OPSB, and
area charter schools. In order to be eligible, educators must meet the
requirements for FEMA's "Individual Assistance" (IA) program and possess a
valid FEMA registration number. Approximately ninety percent of all teachers
and applicants to RSD, OPSB, and charter school teaching positions are IA
eligible, meaning they were a resident of a storm-impacted parish prior to
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"Today's announcement shows our commitment to helping displaced
teachers find their way home and encouraging others around the country to
take a chance and join us," said Louisiana State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education President and LRA Board Member Linda Johnson. "We want
them to hear us loud and clear - they will be welcomed with open arms."

In New Orleans, there is a need for highly specialized teachers for
the coming school year. Especially needed are certified high school math,
science, foreign language and special education teachers. New and displaced
teachers are encouraged to apply. Teaching applicants in K-12 schools in
Louisiana who are certified in another state can teach in Louisiana with an
"out of state certification," which is valid for three years.

Specific subject areas that have the highest teacher demand include:

* Special education teachers, all grades;
* High school math and science teachers;
* High school foreign language teachers.

Each unit, donated by FEMA, can withstand up to 185 MPH winds. FEMA
has already performed cursory site assessments and approved 14 installation
sites for potential use. Design and installation of these units will begin
this month and is expected to be completed, at the earliest, by the end of
November.





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