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Dr. Schweitzer outlines Polk County Schools' recovery steps after Hurricane Helene, warns federal and insurance funds still pending
Summary
Dr. Schweitzer told the school board the district has paid for initial repairs after Hurricane Helene and is awaiting insurance and FEMA disbursements; he cited roughly $365,000 in capital damage, an uncovered slope failure at Saluda Elementary, and layered funding applications to state and federal programs.
Dr. Schweitzer told the Polk County School Board that district leaders have prioritized getting students back to school and have fronted funds to repair storm damage while waiting for outside reimbursements.
"Our end capital damages just from a capital standpoint amounted to just around $365,000," he said, adding that the district has covered repairs to reopen facilities while insurance and FEMA applications are processed. He said Utica National Insurance has completed site assessments and that two major projects are at the final sign‑off stage for funding.
The superintendent warned that some work is not covered by insurance and may not be eligible for FEMA funding. He cited a slope failure behind Saluda Elementary School that is not insured and is likely to require mitigation. "That slope failure is not covered under insurance. It is also not covered necessarily by FEMA," he said, and noted the district has applied to a North Carolina emergency fund to seek support for a retaining wall.
Dr. Schweitzer described FEMA engagement as ongoing: he meets weekly with FEMA representatives and a designated project manager for the county. He said no FEMA disbursements had been received at the time of the update but that several projects were advancing through FEMA’s approval pipeline.
Beyond capital repairs, the update highlighted human‑services needs created by the storm: the district and local partners coordinated donations, housing and payment of bills for affected staff and families, and district resources covered emergency staffing and food losses caused by prolonged power outages.
Board members asked clarifying questions about coordination with the city of Saluda and state resources. Dr. Schweitzer said North Carolina has appropriated an emergency fund for Western North Carolina counties and that the district will pursue layered funding — insurance first, then FEMA, then state emergency funds where gaps remain.
Next steps include continuing FEMA and insurance follow‑up, advancing the Saluda slope mitigation application to state emergency funds, and returning to the board with updates and any contract approvals required to complete repairs.
