State needs school wildfire damage reports by Friday to award money
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
The Oregon Department of Education needs school reports on wildfire damage by noon Friday, Oct. 16, to secure state emergency funding.
ODE has identified 33 school districts, three education service districts and one public charter school that might have been damaged by the September wildfires that devastated communities.
On Monday, the Legislature’s Emergency Board set aside $20 million for schools’ wildfire recovery, but it wants ODE to show the actual need before awarding the money as soon as next week. Schools’ share will depend on the type of damage suffered, expenses incurred, the total cost of schools’ damage, and reimbursements from insurance and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
ODE has been reaching out to districts but says it has not received much response. School leaders can contact School Facilities Coordinator Savanah Solario or School Facilities Program Manager Michael Elliott with information or questions.
