San Diego County schools will get reimbursed $1.7 million in state funding for the financial losses they experienced during the 2003 wildfires. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Hundreds of schools were forced to close during the Cedar Fire three years ago. The campuses lost money because the state only pays schools when a student attends class. However schools can be reimbursed in the event of a state or federal disaster. San Diego County School Superintendent Randy Ward says schools have been counting on this money.
Ward: Better late than never. Obviously all of those budgets were impacted in those schools districts. So this will help to fill some of those holes created.
The schools were supposed to get the money soon after the disaster, but the state couldn’t afford it. Last year there was funding so governor and the legislature approved the reimbursement. Ward says the money will be given to 32 schools districts in the county. San Diego Unified and Escondido Elementary school districts get the largest share.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
