WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today announced a combined $11,499,552.10 in federal disaster grants for the city of Baton Rouge and three school systems in the area.

“The severe damage that these schools suffered in the March and August floods was unbelievable. This money is critical to ensuring that our schools and communities do not struggle financially because of the unprecedented flooding,” said Sen. Kennedy “These funds are a necessary step towards recovery in our region.  I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure Louisiana gets the assistance it needs.” 

These grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will partially reimburse the city of Baton Rouge and the school systems for the money they spent recovering from the flooding.

“I was extremely pleased to learn of the approval of this funding.  Our community and our school district have experienced many challenges rebuilding since the August flood.  This funding will allow us to continue to push ahead restoring the learning environments and resources necessary to help prepare our students to succeed.  We are happy to see this first step in mitigating the financial strain of the flood on the system's resources," said Superintendent Warren Drake of East Baton Rouge Schools.

“I would like to thank all the members of our congressional delegation for working hard to assist us in addressing the needs our school system had as a result of the August flooding.

This grant will provide us a financial shot in the arm and enable us to recover a large portion of the losses we incurred as a result of the flooding.  Because of the assistance of Senator Kennedy

and his staff we were able to receive this financial assistance quicker than anticipated,” said Michael W. Faulk, superintendent of the Central Community School System.

“Ascension Public Schools is so grateful for the continued assistance it has received from federal funding sources.  Overall, recovery from such a catastrophic event is a huge challenge, but the support we have received certainly tempers that challenge.  A special thank you to the efforts of Senator Kennedy and Louisiana's entire congressional delegation, who are prioritizing the recovery of facilities that are so vital to the education of our community's children,” said Ascension Public Schools Superintendent David Alexander.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency notified Sen. Kennedy that a combined $11,499,552.10 in Public Assistance grants have been awarded to the city of Baton Rouge, Ascension Parish School Board, Central Community School System, and East Baton Rouge School Board.  For more information about the individual grants see the information below:

Individual awards are listed below with descriptions from FEMA: 

• $1,755,245.70 – City of Baton Rouge - The award provides $1,755,245.70 in federal funding to Baton Rouge for efforts associated with replacing flood damaged vehicles as a result of FEMA-DR-4277-LA (Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding), and is authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.
   

• $3,529,608.17– Ascension Parish School Board - The award provides $3,529,608.17 in federal funding to the Ascension Parish School Board for remediation activities at St. Amant High School as a result of FEMA-DR-4277-LA (Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding), and is authorized under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.
   

• $2,822,869.49– Central Community School System - The award provides $2,822,869.49 in federal funding to Central Community School System (CCSS), for the permanent repairs required for Tanglewood Elementary, which withstood approximately 24 inches of flooding as a result of FEMA-DR-4277-LA Severe Storms and Flooding, and is authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.
   

• $1,214,695.23 –East Baton Rouge School Board- The award provides approximately $1,214,695.23 in federal funding to East Baton Rouge School Board (EBRSB), for the environmental remediation required for Park Forest Elementary School (PFES), which withstood approximately 32 to 38 inches of flood waters as a result of FEMA-DR-4277-LA Severe Storms and Flooding, and is authorized under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.
   

• $2,177,133.53 – East Baton Rouge School Board- The award provides approximately $2,177,133.53 in federal funding to East Baton Rouge School Board (EBRSB), for remediation required for Park Forest Middle School, which withstood approximately 2.5 feet of flood waters as a result of FEMA-DR-4277-LA Severe Storms and Flooding, and is authorized under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act. 

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