As with everyone else in Southeast Texas, local school districts are recovering from Tropical Storm Harvey and finding direction.

Mark Porterie, superintendent for the Port Arthur Independent School District, spent Friday morning assessing school properties. He said the flooding was so devastating it may take three to four weeks before school is reopened.

“The administration building, (Staff Sergeant Lucian) Adams Elementary and Memorial High School are still underwater (all on Ninth Avenue),” he said. “We need to make sure everything is OK.”

Porterie said he was uncertain if students will have to make up for those days lost. He said they may be able to get waivers for time missed or they may not, it’s up to the Texas Education Agency. 

“All of our schools were assessed, and we’re moving forward,” Porterie said. “Travis and Lee (Elementary Schools) had some leaks and some flooding too. 

“We’ve heard some of our students and their parents had to take shelter, but we haven’t heard of anything drastic.”

Representatives with the Sabine Pass ISD could not be immediately reached for comment, but the district reported on its web site stated that school will remain closed through Labor Day and will return to school on Tuesday, Sept.5.

“Stay safe and dry,” the web site post read.

The Port Neches-Groves Independent School District reported in a statement on the district’s web site that schools would remain closed until Tuesday.

“While we expect and hope for some improvement in weather conditions during the next 24 to 48 hours, rising rivers, overflowing drainage ditches, flooded streets and inundated homes and businesses in our community and surrounding area continue to be major concerns and likely will continue to impact our people and our community for some time to come,” the statement read. “Consequently, the Port Neches-Groves Independent School District announces the closing of schools until Tuesday.”

“We are hopeful that this action will provide an opportunity for our staff and the families of our students who have suffered flooding or other damage to their homes to make temporary repairs or seek other temporary accommodations as necessary, the district’s statement read. “We are also hopeful that access to our community will be re-established and that employees who live outside the area will be able to return to work safely by September 5.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time for our community and our school district.”  

Likewise, the Nederland Independent School District reported classes would resume Tuesday, following Labor Day.