News from the
Committee on Education and the Workforce

Sam Johnson Introduces Bill for Relocated Katrina and Rita Students

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3^rd Dist.-Texas) introduced legislation to help students displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita enrolled in public, private and charter schools. With approximately 372,000 students displaced from Louisiana alone, presently, the Texas Education Agency reports that an additional 46,000 students are enrolled in Texas public schools as a result of the hurricanes.

“The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has shown us what Americans are made of.  We want to help those who can’t help themselves.  There are countless Hurricane Hero stories.  Our schools are no different.  It’s time we say thank you for all they are doing to help folks rebuild their lives,” said Johnson.

The Hurricane Education Assistance Act would reimburse public schools for enrolling students displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  To qualify, a school district would have to enroll at least 10 students and would be reimbursed up to 90% of the state’s per-pupil cost, with a maximum amount of $7,500 per child.  This policy also applies to charter school districts.

These funds could be used for expenses related to educating children, like staff salaries, materials and equipment, building maintenance, student transportation, special services and instruction, student counseling, and after-school programs, among other things.  This money can not be used for school construction. 

Assistance also would be made for parents wishing to send their children to private schools.  The same $7,500 per-child limit would apply.  To ensure money goes where it is most needed, Johnson’s bill requires the Secretary of Education to create income criteria for private-school aid eligibility.

Johnson’s initiative reflects the key conservative priority that federal education assistance for hurricane-impacted schools will not discriminate between public and private schools.  “The hurricanes didn’t distinguish between public and private schools.  The federal government shouldn’t either.”

This bill, reflecting the President’s proposal to aid the public and private schools affected by the hurricanes, is a starting point upon which Congress will build.  In the coming weeks, Congress will continue its efforts to develop comprehensive solutions to meet the needs of the students and schools impacted by the Gulf Coast hurricanes. 

The highest-ranking Texan on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Johnson represents Dallas and Collin Counties in North Texas .  Presently, thousands of students have relocated to Johnson’s Third Congressional District.  Dallas Independent School District (ISD) has enrolled 2,316 students since Katrina and 76 since Rita.  Richardson ISD has enrolled 1,114 students from Louisiana .  Plano ISD has enrolled 682 students from Katrina and 21 from Rita.  Frisco ISD has taken 180 students.  Wylie ISD has taken in 91 students, roughly 1% of total enrollment.

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