Board approves $36M plan to fix earthquake-damaged schools

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Anchorage school officials have approved a plan calling for $36.3 million to repair two schools damaged by the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that shook south-central Alaska.

The Anchorage Daily News reports the school board voted Monday for the plan to fix Gruening Middle School and Eagle River Elementary, which have been closed since the Nov. 30 quake.

A school district committee had recommended the plan, deciding against the more expensive option of demolishing and rebuilding the schools.

District consultant George Vakalis says the repairs are expected to be funded by a mixture of sources, including state and federal funding and a bond that would require voter approval.

Vakalis says the district has been in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency about the plan.
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Information from: Anchorage Daily News, http://www.adn.com