The San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) announced it is closing all campuses until Monday, Jan. 22 to address repairs to issues relating to burst pipes (due to the freezing temperatures) and boilers. Students experienced frigid temperatures inside the classroom, with teachers and staff relocating classes to the warmest parts of the buildings.
We’re here to provide you with a breakdown of the situation and resources for San Antonio residents in the district.
What happened?
Due the frigid temperatures the Alamo City experienced this week, about 70% of the campuses across the district witnessed heating system failures, with anywhere from 20% to 100% of those buildings not being able to heat appropriately. As a result, the district has decided to temporarily close the schools.
During this time, SAISD plans to:
- Make repairs
- Perform quality control checks at all schools
In a letter sent to parents Tuesday night, Dr. Aquino apologized for the incident, stating “Today’s return to the classroom during this cold weather was not as successful as we had planned. Our preparations fell short today, and I am deeply sorry. As a district, we are here to meet the educational and social needs of our children, and we strive to do this in the safest way possible.”
Parent + student resources
While the campuses are closed, SAISD is excusing student absences. SAISD students who are in need of a lunch can pick up sack lunches on Thursday, Jan. 18 and Friday, Jan. 19 at campus locations from noon to 1:00 p.m. Students are not required to be present for the sack lunch pick up.