Congresswoman Johnson Contributes to Comprehensive K-12 Hurricane Relief Bill
Press Release
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is renewing her efforts to aid school districts nationwide that are enrolling displaced students from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Johnson's Displaced Student Relief Act, (H.R. 3748) which was introduced immediately following Hurricane Katrina, has been added to a comprehensive K-12 Hurricane Relief bill, (H.R. 4048) that was introduced into the House of Representatives, Friday.
"I am so pleased that Representatives Miller and Woolsey requested that the Displaced Student Relief Act become part of their overall education relief bill," said Congresswoman Johnson. "Swiftly passing this package will ensure stability and success for some of the youngest victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."
Johnson's bill, which has become Title II of the Comprehensive Hurricane Relief package, provides direct aid to school districts that are enrolling students displaced by Katrina and Rita-up to $3.5 billion. The money would be established through a fund within the Department of Education and would go to hire and train new teachers, purchase new books, add classrooms and provide counseling. The per student amount is $8,314 and equals the national average per pupil expenditure. It is at least $800 more per student than the Administration's plan would provide.
It's estimated that close to 400,000 elementary and secondary students are survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The Texas Education Agency estimates at least 60,000 of those will enroll in Texas schools.
"We must ensure that the needs of these displaced students are met," Congresswoman Johnson said. "This is a traumatic period for many of these kids, and they will need a safe, structured environment to thrive. Our schools will require considerable help to make this a success."
H.R. 4048 also provides direct aid to school districts that were in the path of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as well as to provide special education aid to school districts that are enrolling students with disabilities. It also funds direct aid to after-school programs in districts in the path of the hurricanes as well as those enrolling displaced students. The bill also sets up funds for school construction and repair.
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