Saint Louis Public Schools officials gave the board a preliminary FEMA update, saying all 12 disaster-recovery projects have been created by FEMA, costs have been estimated and mitigation measures were accepted and included in project scopes.

The board was told the cost figures are preliminary and will change as inventories and invoices are finalized. FEMA has moved projects through coordination with the district's insurer and, according to the presentation, all projects moved from "pending insurance completion" to "insurance peer review" just before the meeting. The district will receive FEMA's completed projects, review them, and then put the work out for bid.

Why it matters: the projects cover school repairs and mitigation steps meant to reduce future storm damage; insurance coordination and federal review determine what work is funded and when contractors can be hired.

Operations staff summarized current project status and next steps. Staff said Category A and B work (debris removal and emergency protective measures) are substantially complete, meaning known costs and invoices have been added to FEMA spreadsheets and are under FEMA review. Category Z (closeout) costs remain to be determined until projects are completed and final invoices are submitted.

Mister Schultz, who led the update for operations, told the board the district will be able to repair damaged facilities but cautioned that repairs restore buildings, not replace them with brand-new construction: "We are able to repair what has been damaged. It doesn't make it new. We are able to repair what has been damaged." He also reported that photos and documentation for specific items (including the Soldan Athletic Field) and invoice schedules had been provided to FEMA and that Republic Services invoices were delivered the afternoon of the update.

Board members asked whether FEMA-required mitigation is mandatory or recommended and whether repaired schools will still serve as safe havens. Mister Watson explained mitigation examples (additional roof straps, storm windows, tornado clips, moisture-resistant interior materials) and said FEMA recommends acceptance; mitigation is part of FEMA's cost analysis and is added to project scopes when accepted. Watson said the district is considering whether repaired buildings will maintain shelter designations as part of emergency operations planning and will follow up with the superintendent.

Staff emphasized that insurance and FEMA remain aligned; the immediate remaining tasks are inventory documentation and final FEMA review before the district receives final project packages and issues RFPs for contractors. Staff also said final cost figures and project closeouts will follow FEMA and state processes (including environmental and historic-preservation reviews where applicable).

Board Vice President Emily Hubbard asked that the presentation slides be posted publicly; operations staff said a fuller presentation will be provided at the upcoming board meeting and that slides will be uploaded.

Ending: district staff said they will return with a full FEMA presentation at the board meeting, will post slides, and will follow up on mitigation, shelter status and final project packages as FEMA and the insurer complete peer and historic/environmental reviews.