[StBernard] LRA Education Task Force Chair Applauds DOE's Efforts to Break Ground on Five New Schools in New Orl

[Westley Annis]

LRA Education Task Force Chair Applauds DOE's Efforts to 
Break Ground on Five New Schools in New Orleans by Year's End

LRA's commitment of $200 million in CDBG funds will support construction of new facilities

NEW ORLEANS (September 12, 2007) - The Chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority's Education Task Force and President of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Linda Johnson issued the following statement regarding the announcement made today by the Louisiana Department of Education to begin construction on five new schools in New Orleans by the end of this year.

"Today's announcement marks another significant milestone in Louisiana's recovery, and we applaud the Department of Education and Recovery School District for its efforts to get the construction of these new schools underway before the end of the year.

"Last August, the LRA recognized this as one of the rare moments when the storms actually provided us with an opportunity for change, an opportunity for improvement-- a chance to rebuild better than before-- and committed $200 million in CDBG funds to repair and rebuild K-12 schools.

"More than half of these funds will be used to cover FEMA-ineligible repair costs for schools in New Orleans, including all of the projects that were announced today, and we can't wait to see construction begin."

Last year, Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, the Louisiana Legislature and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved the LRA's action plan to provide more than $200 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to repair and rebuild K-12 schools. These funds will cover repair costs that are determined to be ineligible by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance program.

Costs not covered by FEMA include uninsured or underinsured facilities, rebuilding schools that did not meet building codes prior to the storm and damages that did not directly result from Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. For example, if termite damage is discovered while a previously flooded school facility is being gutted, certain repairs are necessary before reopening the school though the costs will not be eligible for reimbursement from FEMA.

To provide the optimum learning environments for students, the criteria for parishes to access these funds include current school design best practices such as: 
- Building schools with flexible facilities to encourage teaching to different styles of learning;
- Developing a small school culture;
- Making schools a vital part of the community; and
- Integrating the public in the school planning process.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, killing 1,464 people, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses and inflicting about $25 billion in insured losses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

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