State disaster funds: Haywood County Schools awarded $3.7 million for Hurricane Helene recovery

Haywood County Schools staff told the Board the district successfully applied for state disaster recovery funding to cover damages from Hurricane Helene and that the state has sent $3,713,067 to the county for use by the district.

Graham Haines explained the allocation comes from session law 2024‑53 (identified in the meeting as Senate Bill 743, part of the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024) and that a statewide pot of $50,000,000 was set aside for public school recovery. The program is intended to cover losses in excess of insurance and FEMA reimbursements; Haines said the state will allow districts to receive funds up front so districts do not have to float costs while awaiting federal or insurance reimbursements.

Haines said the district had requested the full amount for its damages (about $3,713,067, excluding the education center in Clyde which is being handled separately) and the state sent the funds through the county, which is standard procedure. Staff noted the district has already paid some repair bills and expects to use the state money to reimburse those expenditures. Haines said the district is still awaiting a separate FEMA/Fred reimbursement of “a little over a million” dollars.

Staff said they will meet with the county manager and finance officer on Jan. 17 to document the accounting trail and explain how the funds will be used. Board members asked whether the allocation covered deductibles and engineering costs; staff replied it covers amounts spent to date, including engineering and related expenses.

Staff asked the Board to consider a motion on Monday to accept the funds so there is a clear record showing origin and intended use; no formal acceptance vote occurred at this meeting.