Janesville, Wis. – The Janesville School District is keeping families and community members informed about the latest federal disaster assistance it has received after the devastating April floods that battered Rock County. District officials said they received an initial award from FEMA for Emergency Response funding and that applications for Facility Repair and Future Hazard Mitigation are moving forward.
Emergency Response funding approved
Chief Financial Officer Dan McCrea told reporters that FEMA has approved the Emergency Response portion of the district’s request. This funding reimburses the district for Emergency Protective Measures, such as securing school buildings, ensuring staff and student safety, and preventing further property damage. “The district was pleased to learn of an initial federal funding award announced by FEMA,” McCrea said, adding that the assistance will help keep schools safe while repairs continue.
Facility Repair and Content Replacement under review
The district’s application for Facility Repair and Content Replacement funding—intended to cover permanent building repairs, structural restoration, and replacement of damaged classroom materials and equipment—is currently under review by FEMA. District leaders hope the review will conclude quickly so that classrooms can be restored to full capacity.
Future Hazard Mitigation in progress
In addition to immediate repairs, the district is pursuing Future Hazard Mitigation funding. This phase will support long‑term plans to protect school facilities from future emergencies, including flood‑resilient infrastructure and updated emergency‑response protocols. FEMA has listed this portion of the application as “in progress.”
Weekly coordination with federal partners
District administrators and facilities leaders meet weekly with FEMA representatives to monitor progress and keep projects on schedule. The collaborative approach reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to swift, effective disaster relief for communities across the nation.
While Washington Elementary School remains closed as repairs continue, the district has arranged for displaced students to attend neighboring schools for the start of the academic year. Parents have expressed gratitude for the transparent communication and for the federal resources that are helping the district recover.
Community members are encouraged to stay informed through the district’s website and upcoming town‑hall meetings, where officials will provide further updates on funding timelines and restoration plans.
Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.
