Sandy School Damage to Get Funding for Repairs

Hackettstown Public School District is one of six Warren County school districts that will receive money from a New Jersey insurance fund for damage from Hurricane Sandy.

The six districts: Greenwich Township; Hackettstown; Phillipsburg; Warren Hills; Warren Township; and Washington Township school districts are part of School Alliance Insurance Fund (SAIF), which recently received $5 million from Lexington Insurance as a prepayment for losses, according to a press release. Losses could eventually total $20 million statewide, the release said.

SAIF Chairwoman Stephanie Voorhees said final figures will be based on inspections from insurance adjustors who are checking claims for damaged roofs, solar panels, school equipment and grounds along with flood losses and food spoilage, the release stated.

Individual reimbursements for each district could range between $1,000 and $7.5 million, depending on the severity of the claim, Voorhees said.

“The schools desperately need these funds,” Voorhees said. “This is by far the most catastrophic damage we’ve ever seen in New Jersey. A lot of work needs to be done, and we’re happy to be part of the rebuilding effort.”