School Staff in Jefferson Parish Moves to New FEMA Trailer Park
Release Date: December 13, 2005
Release Number: 1603-219
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- When Hurricane Katrina roared through Jefferson Parish, hundreds of teachers, administrators and school support personnel lost their homes. Today, 100 staff members from Norbert Rillieux Elementary school are moving into 80 trailers in a new park in Waggaman, Louisiana.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, Superintendent Dr. Diane Roussel was determined to reopen schools as soon as possible. But with so many school personnel without housing, there was concern staff might leave the area and find other jobs. She wanted to retain as many teachers and staff as possible.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offered the district the option of developing its own trailer community to house staff. FEMA funded the eligible costs under its Public Assistance Program. District personnel actually designed the park to meet their specific needs. For example, there are no cars permitted inside the park allowing the children living there a place to run and play without concern about traffic.
Before moving in, each resident will receive a staff-produced, informational DVD about trailer living.
Candice Critten, an assistant teacher at Rillieux Elementary School, is moving in today with her daughter. "Oh, it's a relief; it's like normal life is coming back and it's so close to Christmas and I didn't have a place to put a tree."
The park at Rillieux School will have 80 FEMA trailers. Another park is planned for 20 trailers for Alfred Bonnabel High School.
FEMA will reimburse the school district for the cost to build utilities (water, sewer, and power), maintenance, operations, stone access roads & parking, security, and travel trailers through the FEMA Public Assistance Interim Housing Program.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 13-Dec-2005 11:29:11