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March 27 , 2006  
VO COMMENDS STATE FOR DOWNPAYMENT ON PROMISED DISASTER RELIEF FOR SCHOOLS

Federal Funds Still Critical For Local Schools Coping With Evacuees

(ALIEF) - State Representative Hubert Vo today commended state officials for releasing the first of four installments in federal impact aid to help local public schools cope with thousands of students who were evacuated to Alief and other area districts after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"We appreciate this funding and consider it a great first step," Vo said. "Accommodating this unexpected influx of homeless children with no help has not been easy on educators or taxpayers."

Vo welcomed today's announcement by Commissioner of Education Shirley Neeley that the first of four installments will cover at least some of the costs involved in caring for student evacuees.  Vo had repeatedly asked state officials to release the funds, including in a letter sent to House Speaker Tom Craddick yesterday.
 
The Alief Independent School District took in approximately 3,000 new students after the hurricanes, the highest percentage of total enrollments of any public school district in the state.

Texas Education Agency officials originally intended to retain a portion of the federal aid to recoup state expenses.  Vo argued vigorously against diluting the federal funds because every penny was needed to address the unique challenges of the evacuees, including educational disparities, multiple traumas faced by the students, and additional demands on classroom space and educational resources.

Vo said the federal relief thus far falls short of the true costs to local taxpayers and called on the U.S. Congress to appropriate additional federal funds.
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