A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 1994 
   
Contact: Kathryn Kahler
(202) 401-3026

Los Angeles City Schools Receive Emergency Federal Aid

LOS ANGELES, JAN. 24 -- U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley today announced that $7 million in emergency aid was electronically transferred this morning to the Los Angeles Unified School District. The funds were provided under provisions of the federal School Disaster Assistance Program, known as Impact Aid.

An additional $3 million will be made available to other California school districts, perhaps as early as this week.

"In meetings this weekend with local school officials, we were able to help them complete the necessary paperwork to expedite the funds," Riley said. "In moving quickly, we hope to begin helping students, teachers and parents return to the daily task of education."

Riley visited schools in the San Fernando Valley on Sunday and met with school officials. Deputy Education Secretary Madeleine Kunin will visit the area this week.

Leticia Quezada, president of the Los Angeles Unified School Board, reported damage to more than 150 school facilities. The school system is the second largest in the nation, serving more than 640,000 students K-12.

"Of course, we want to have all the children back in class as soon as possible," Quezada said. "Our initial priority is to make counseling available. We want to begin the healing right away."

In addition to counseling, the federal emergency aid may be used for transportation, food, and some day-to-day or extended- day activities.

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