LUMBERTON — The School Board was offered $24.9 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The School Board held a special meeting on July 25, during which they discussed FEMA and the funding received to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew to the school systems.

FEMA approved $24.9 million of the request and denied $12.8 million. The acceptance memo did not address some items, and the decision regarding those items may affect the final total once a conclusion is reached.

The unaddressed items were demolition costs, administrative grant management costs, Content value, and architecture fees spent prior to arbitration.

The School Board has until August 9 to either appeal or accept the offered funds. The Finance construction committee recommended that the school board accept the $24.9 million.

The committee’s suggestion was agreed upon and the board members voted to accept the $24.9 million offered. Accepting this grant in a vote does not mean they lose the opportunity to appeal the final suggestion until a written statement is submitted or the August 9 deadline passes.