Burke County schools report $1.05 million in hurricane-related recovery spending; Freedom High still under repair

Burke County Public Schools reported Thursday that it has spent about $1,050,000 so far on hurricane-related recovery and has recovered roughly $582,000 through FEMA and insurance as work continues, with Freedom High School sustaining the most damage. "Total FEMA and insurance recovery efforts, clocking in 1,050,000," said Mister Lawson, staff member, presenting the financial update. He said the district has recovered "life to date, dollars 268,672 from FEMA" and "insurance recovered, $313,988 life to date," leaving an outstanding recovery balance of $467,371. Dr. Aikert, staff member, who is coordinating repairs and FEMA project documentation, told the board that several projects are now obligated in the FEMA portal and that the largest ongoing work is at Freedom High School. "Those two together were over a million dollars right now with force account salary," Dr. Aikert said, referring to materials and district employee labor the district is logging for FEMA reimbursement. He added that the district has projects for debris removal, roof repair, and building remediation where contractors such as SERVPRO have been used. Board members asked whether the totals were final; Mister Lawson said they were not and that additional costs documented in the FEMA portal may not yet be reflected on the district books. The district reported specific life-to-date expenditures for some categories: $133,401 for social workers, $98,000 for guidance, $327,000 for summer learning recovery and $120,000 for school nutrition staff who were unable to work early in recovery. Mister Lawson explained the school nutrition line was covered because reimbursement by USDA is tied to meals served, and the state provided funding to cover those workers. On the timeline for reopening parts of Freedom High School, Dr. Aikert said the field house and concession stand were close to occupancy: "The field house is probably about 85% at this point... I would venture to say probably by the middle to end of next week, we'll start moving things back in content wise." He cautioned that additional repairs across district facilities will continue as more Helene-related damage is identified. District staff said they are working through FEMA procedures and a consultant (DCMC) and expect FEMA reimbursements to continue; Mister Lawson noted the FEMA liquidation deadline for the program is June 30, 2030. No formal board action was taken on the recovery report; the presentation was informational and followed by questions from board members.