Humble Independent School District
Kingwood High in the Humble (Texas) district was one of many schools in the state damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
Kingwood High in the Humble (Texas) district was one of many schools in the state damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
Kingwood High in the Humble (Texas) district was one of many schools in the state damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
Kingwood High in the Humble (Texas) district was one of many schools in the state damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
Kingwood High in the Humble (Texas) district was one of many schools in the state damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

U.S. Education Department gives Puerto Rico schools $589 million for hurricane recovery

April 30, 2018
Schools in Texas and California also will get funds as part of the Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations program.

Puerto Rico will receive $589 million in federal aid to help schools affected last year's devastating hurricanes.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the assistance as part of a $693 million package that will also help schools in Texas, hit hard by hurricanes in 2017, and California, where many campuses were damaged by wildfires.

“As communities get back on their feet in disaster affected regions, we continue to support them in every way we can,” says DeVos. “This additional funding will ensure students, teachers and staff have ongoing access to the services they need to fully recover and rebuild.”

The funding comes from the Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations (K-12 Restart) program. The program is providing initial funding while offering subsequent opportunities for eligible states to seek additional assistance.

Under the K-12 Restart program, the education department awards funds to state educational agencies with students and schools affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and California wildfires. The state agencies will provide assistance or services to local school districts, charter schools and private schools.

Puerto Rico is receiving the lion's share of the initial funding: $589,170,000. Texas will receive $89,420,000, and California will receive $14,396,317.

The allocation is based on factors such as the number of schools affected and how long they were closed.

Puerto Rico's education secretary, Julia Keleher, says the Restart funds will help restore normal conditions in schools, The Orlando Sentinel reports.

“Creating new grant programs is a difficult task and [the department of education] should be applauded for how quickly it has been able to make this much needed funding available,' says Keleher.

Sponsored Recommendations

How to design flexible learning spaces that teachers love and use

Unlock the potential of flexible learning spaces with expert guidance from school districts and educational furniture providers. Discover how to seamlessly integrate adaptive ...

Blurring the Lines in Education Design: K–12 to Higher Ed to Corporate America

Discover the seamless integration of educational and corporate design principles, shaping tomorrow's leaders from kindergarten to boardroom. Explore innovative classroom layouts...

Room to Learn: Furniture Solutions for Education

Preparing students for the future. Utilizing our experience in the education market, we offer a dynamic selection of products that pair technology with furniture to help stimulate...

Transforming Education: A Case Study in Progressive Classroom Design

Discover how Workspace Interiors and the Baldwin School District reshaped learning environments in Long Island, New York, creating pedagogically responsive spaces that foster ...