Add as a preferred source on Google

Secretary DeVos Announces New Federal Disaster Assistance for Florida

  • 05/17/18

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today a total of approximately $84.5 million in new federal assistance for Florida under the Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations (K-12 Restart) program. The award announced today is the first in a multiphase award process designed to provide prompt initial funding while offering subsequent opportunities for additional assistance through future applications.

"As Florida continues to recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Department is committed to helping officials on the ground restore a safe and healthy learning environment," said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. "We will continue to work closely with Commissioner Stewart and Governor Scott to ensure students and teachers have the resources they need now and in the future."

Under the K-12 Restart program, the Department is authorized to award funds to state educational agencies (SEAs) with students and schools impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the 2017 California wildfires. These SEAs, in turn, will provide assistance or services to local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools and private schools, to help defray expenses related to restarting school operations and restoring the normal learning environment for students and families.

This initial award to the Florida Department of Education (FLDoE) was made in the amount of $84.5 million. The Department has made initial awards to four additional SEAs: California Department of Education (CDE), Puerto Rico Department of Education (PRDE), Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education (US VIDE). Award amounts were developed based on information provided by the SEAs in their applications, including the number of schools affected as a result of a covered disaster or emergency and how long they were closed.

Congress appropriated a combined amount of approximately $2.5 billion for both the K-12 Restart and Emergency Impact Aid for Displaced Students (K-12 Displaced Students) programs. The amounts awarded under each program will be based on demand and specific data received from eligible applicants. The Department released the application for the K-12 Displaced Students program on April 25.

Featured

  • North Dakota State University Completes Music School Renovation

    North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently announced that construction on the Challey School of Music has finished, according to a news release. The university partnered with Foss Architecture & Interiors for design and Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and construction began in July 2024.

  • UCNJ Launches $30M Modernization of Physical Education Center

    The Union College of Union County (UCNJ) in Cranford, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $30-million modernization project for its Physical Education Center (PECK), according to a news release. The college partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the project’s design, transitioning the existing 42,000-square-foot structure into a campus hub for student athletics and campus life.

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

  • textured paper collage shows a school building on fire as a fire truck sprays water into the flames

    Why a Fire Loss Is More than Flames

    We've all seen what fire damage can do to a property, but the types of damage building owners often encounter after a fire loss can exceed expectations. Having full awareness of the different forms of damage properties can sustain helps owners respond faster, reduce continued damage, and get back on the road to recovery in short order.

Digital Edition