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Washington, DC- Today, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), along with Senator Chuck Schumer and Representatives Josè Serrano (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Nydia Velàzquez (D-NY) sent a letter to Joseph Allbaugh, Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), pushing for full reimbursement to New York City schools for the $103 million for lost instruction time due to 9/11, and urged him to reimburse the New York City Board of Education for additional expenses incurred. In a press report earlier this week, FEMA indicated they were inclined to consider reimbursing a portion of the expenses incurred, but New York Lawmakers are pressing for a full reimbursement.
As a result of the 9/11 disaster, the New York City Board of Education lost $103 million for make-up school days needed because of lost instructional time, $3 million in lost federal reimbursements the school system absorbed as a result of disruptions in cafeteria operations, and $1.9 million in transportation costs related to the movement of students after 9/11. In a statement released today, Congresswoman Maloney said, "I want to thank FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh for making this decision to act. While this news is encouraging, it's only a first-step and I think it is reasonable to expect the additional funding that Mayor Bloomberg requested in July. It would be a real shame if New York's school kids lose class time or school services because of the terrorist attack." Senator Schumer said, "There's no question that our schools need help in the wake of September 11. My older daughter was at Stuyvesant High School last year which is located right next to Ground Zero. It took over a month of intensive work on the building just to get the students back in the classroom - and that's just one school. Thousands of kids had their education disrupted and lost needed time in the classroom that needs to be made up. As a city, we won't be back on our feet until our schools are back on track. FEMA can help get us to that point by providing the full $103 million that we need to make up that lost time." Additional Background: In a 7/16/02 letter to FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh, Mayor Bloomberg requested full funding for these expenses. This letter can be viewed by going to http://maloney.house.gov/documents/olddocs/71602bloomberg.pdf To view the Maloney, Schumer, Serrano, Nadler, Hinchey 9/13/02 letter to FEMA Director Joe Allabugh, please to go http://maloney.house.gov/documents/olddocs/Allbaugh91302.pdf and for a complete history of Congresswoman Maloney's correspondence with FEMA on this issue, please go to: www.house.gov/maloney/issues/Sept11/nycschools.html. ### |
