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Thursday, September 4, 2008

EDUCATION OFFICIALS WORKING TO REOPEN SCHOOLS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Three days after Hurricane Gustav made landfall on Louisiana’s gulf coast, education officials are aggressively working with local school districts to support their attempts to resume operations. The greatest challenges remain in the southeast, south central and central part of the state, and while most districts sustained only minimal damage to buildings, there are some areas that will require substantial support. Overall, state education officials indicate there has been notable progress even in the areas where there was notable damage. State officials indicate most school districts are tentatively planning to reopen schools on Monday, September 8, although some reopened today and a few will reopen tomorrow.

“We’ve been able to touch base with all but a handful of school districts,” said State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek. “Remarkably even school districts that are in the hardest hit areas are already securing the services of contractors and their facilities staff is working to repair damage and clean up after the storm. Some of the greatest concerns continue to be around shortages of fuel, electrical power, food, water, and sewer – the same issues that are affecting our general population. Our Superintendents are working with other local officials and are making decisions based on current information, such as projections for restoring power, fuel supply and other factors that are required to operate their schools. Also, some of our schools are currently housing evacuees, and of course this limits their ability to reopen. ”

Approximately 20 local school districts resumed classes today, mostly those located in the north and mid-western areas of the state. The majority of school districts plan to reopen by Monday, September 8th. Operations of almost all schools have been halted since Friday, August 29 when the state braced for as Hurricane Gustav.

On Friday, Superintendent Pastorek and other education officials will travel to designated areas of the state to meet with local education leaders to gain a better understanding of their needs. “In some cases, we will need to provide additional resources or adjust school sites, and in other cases, we will be asking schools districts to absorb displaced students,” Pastorek continued. “Our responsibility is to provide a first-class education experience for these students regardless of where they are housed in the state. At the same time we are sensitive to the realities of families and the state at large. One thing we know from our experiences is that schools, teachers and administrators are really good at giving children and families a sense of belonging and stability during unsettling times like these. I am confident that we will find a way to do that.”

For information on school district closures, please visit the Department of Education website at http://www.louisianaschools.net/ or refer to the attached list of updated closures.

DISTRICT CLOSINGS AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2008