(Anchorage) - Today Sen. Charlie Huggins (R - Rural Mat-Su/Chugiak) and Rep. Mark Neuman (R - Big Lake) announced that securing emergency funding to pay for roof repairs at Susitna Valley High School will be their number one priority.

Rep. Neuman and Sen. Huggins both attended last night's emergency town hall meeting in Talkeetna and listened to the concerns parents and students have about closing the facility for the entire year.

"This is obviously a stressful situation for everyone involved and there are lots of different opinions on where the students should attend class. We can all agree that we can't allow children and teachers inside an unsafe building. Rep. Neuman and I will work together to help secure the necessary funding to minimize the impact on families who attend Susitna Valley High," said Sen. Huggins.

A structural analysis of the school revealed the roof and some interior walls would not support deep snow or withstand a potential earthquake. Mat-Su Valley School District officials decided to close the school until necessary repairs can be made to insure the safety of teachers and students.

"When I received the news on Friday, I immediately started contacting people who can help. I have been in frequent communication with the Governor's Office, members of the Senate and House Finance Committees, and with other officials from Administration," said Rep. Neuman, "to see what can be done."

"The bottom line is this," stated Sen. Huggins. "Rep. Neuman and I encourage community members to devote their energies to insure integrity and quality of education at Susitna Valley High School. Our responsibility as legislators is to work with the Mat-Su Borough to make certain that required funding is available."

For more information, contact Sen. Huggins at (907) 376-4866 and Rep. Neuman at (907) 376-2679.

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