The remaining FEMA funds, however, must be spent on FEMA-approved projects, and cannot be used to offset the local share of other projects, thus limiting the district in what it can spend the money on. The district also recently signed an agreement with FEMA to start construction on the 100s wing of the Lido School, which was also severely damaged by the storm. Officials said that helical piles must be installed under the classrooms, because the ground there is unstable.

Fagans said that the district could use the extra money to pay to outfit those classrooms with benches, cases, cabinets and piping — a $239,000 cost. Even then, the district will still be left with slightly more than $700,000 to use for additional FEMA-approved projects. It is now considering how it will use those funds.