PAISD to return to class within three weeks, other systems sooner
Published 3:30 pm Monday, September 4, 2017
One sign of a return to normalcy are students going back to the classroom. The four local school districts are assessing and making plans for students to come back.
The four local school districts are assessing and making plans for students to come back. Mark Porterie,
Mark Porterie, superintendent for PAISD, issued the following statement:
“The PAISD is aggressively assessing all facilities in our district. It appears the most damaged area occurred in the administration building. There are some leaks and water intrusion from underneath doors. Adams Elementary received about 2-3 inches of water. It did not reach the sheet rock so we are good there. The Memorial High School facility did not receive any water and is ready to go. We are excited about getting all of our staff and students back to normalcy as quickly as possible.
“We realize that our staff has to be settled before we allow students to return. We are looking at about three weeks before the school year begins, if not sooner. Employees were paid their regular checks on Aug. 31 and will continue to receive payroll checks throughout the year. Our email server will be up and running soon and communication will be clearer. Continue to be safe. We are strong and this challenge will make PAISD much better. Go Titans!”Gerry Dickert,
Gerry Dickert, public information officer with Lamar State College-Port Arthur, said damage was minimal to the campus. Some water was blown into the student center on Tuesday but soon mopped up and dried. Dickert attributes the campus staying so dry due to a pump station near the Carl Parker Center that kept water out of the area. He compared that to having to wade through water on nearby Lakeshore Drive.
Dickert attributes the campus staying so dry due to a pump station near the Carl Parker Center that kept water out of the area. He compared that to having to wade through water on nearby Lakeshore Drive. Plans are to have staff return on Thursday, faculty on Friday, and classes resuming on Monday, Sept. 11.”We’re playing it day by day,” he said. “Any semblance to normalcy and routine helps everyone cope better.”
“We’re playing it day by day,” he said. “Any semblance to normalcy and routine helps everyone cope better.”
Kristi Heid, the superintendent for Sabine Pass ISD and a storm veteran, said there was no damage to the school.
“We’re good and dry,” she said. “Our (staff and faculty) homes are good and dry. We’re waiting for the water to recede off the road (Highway 87). The rivers are supposed to crest and then recede. We’re definitely closed until Sept. 11. We can’t get in or get out. That’s the problem.”
Tina Taylor is a Sabine Pass resident. She said the water is starting to recede at the docks and behind the school. The community never lost power.
“Everybody is doing well,” Taylor said. “We’ve got some army trucks to deliver food and water. There have been no injuries reported. The ditches need to be cleaned out though. They’re clogged up with debris.”
The Port Neches-Groves ISD page was updated on Sept. 1. It read PNGISD schools will remain closed for students through September 8. PNGISD employees are asked to return to work on Friday, Sept. 8, for a workday in their respective buildings, classrooms and worksites. Students will return to school on Monday, Sept. 11.
Nederland ISD released a statement on Sept. 2 their schools will remain closed for students through Sept. 8, 2017. Nederland ISD employees are asked to return to work on Friday, Sept. 8 for a workday in their respective buildings, classrooms and worksites. Students will return to school on Monday, Sept. 11. Depending on conditions, some school activities may resume on a limited basis prior to Sept. 11. Participation in these activities will be voluntary until the district resumes regular scheduling.