NEWS RELEASE

Release Date: August 31, 2005
Contact: Caron Blanton, Public Relations Director (601) 359-3519

Hurricane Katrina impacts over 270 schools

Preliminary data collected by the Mississippi Department of Education indicates that Hurricane Katrina has impacted 271 schools in 44 districts, representing nearly 160,000 students.

“Katrina has devastated the education community,” said Dr. Hank M. Bounds, State Superintendent of Education. “We are aware that we have completely lost some schools and many schools have experienced significant damage on the coast and well inland also. We are keeping all of those impacted by Hurricane Katrina in our thoughts and prayers and we stand ready to assist each of you with disaster relief efforts.”

Due to the tragedy, many schools will be unable to open for weeks and even months. The Coast has been decimated by this unprecedented disaster.

“Of course, the Department of Education's focus for the foreseeable future is to help our schools and communities recover from this disaster,” said Dr. Bounds.

The Department will train and equip teams to provide disaster assistance. After contacting superintendents to determine what type of assistance is necessary, Department personnel stand ready to assist districts to the fullest extent.

“We are communicating with every school district in the state to assess the availability of needed resources that may be able to be redirected on a temporary basis to the impacted areas,” said Dr. Bounds. “The list will include everything from desks to buses. In addition, access to fuel has reached almost a panic level in many parts of the state. I am also aware that there are districts in Texas and other sister states that are mobilizing to gather supplies and plan to adopt local schools in Mississippi.”

Many families will be dislocated during the coming weeks and months and will be living with friends and relatives across the state.

“I am sure that all school districts will be happy to accommodate displaced families and their children during this crisis situation,” said Dr. Bounds.

The law provides that the Mississippi Board of Education may issue a waiver to a district that is unable to make up the required 187 days for teachers and 180 days for students if the governor or the president has declared the school district's community a disaster area. Each district will be assisted based on their particular needs and situation.

“Many agencies and organizations are working together around the clock to provide assistance and relief efforts to the areas effected by this disaster,” said Dr. Bounds. “Again, it will be our mission to help our schools and students in every possible way.”

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