Slidell School Plans To Reopen After FEMA Financial Help
Release Date: October 10, 2007
Release Number: 1603-731
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SLIDELL, La. -- A Slidell educational landmark is scheduled to reopen its doors in less than a year with the assistance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Brock Elementary School, which was among the first racially integrated schools in Slidell, is scheduled to reopen in August 2008. A construction contract has been awarded and repairs to the facility have already begun. The school serves 300 students in grades K-5. Students are currently being educated in temporary facilities.
Damages to the school were significant enough to warrant a replacement facility. However, due to the school's historical significance and eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Tammany education officials decided instead to repair the school, which first opened in 1942.
"Brock Elementary is an important community institution, and local residents are eager to see the reconstruction of this school, which has served several generations," St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Trey Folse said. "The school is not only an important landmark but also a positive, effective center for learning. The rebuilding of Brock will be an inspiring example for a revitalized community hard hit by disaster."
To date, FEMA has obligated over $8.3 million toward Brock Elementary School, which includes emergency protective measures and permanent repairs. A total of $60.2 million has been obligated for St. Tammany Parish schools.
When projects are obligated by FEMA through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the applicant, in this case the St. Tammany Parish School Board, to work with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness as quickly as possible to access the reimbursement monies. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursing the funds. Obligated funds may change over time as the project worksheet is a living grant that is often adjusted as bids come in and scope of work is aligned.
The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations' buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 10-Oct-2007 09:49:45