HOUSTON — With just days to go until the first day of classes for HISD, there are growing concerns throughout the district over issues like storm debris and mold in schools.
As your Education Station, we've been working this story for days and trying to get you answers.
Our KHOU 11 news team has traveled across Houston ISD to schools where parents and teachers say they have concerns about campus readiness. And for the first time, the district is acknowledging it found mold growing in at least two schools in the wake of the May derecho and Hurricane Beryl last month. At a news conference Tuesday night, Superintendent Mike Miles told KHOU 11's Maria Aguilera that the two schools mold was found in were Kashmere Gardens Elementary and Love Elementary.
"The mold that was found was remediated, so those schools are ready to go," Miles said.
All week, we've been asking about that and whether the district will be ready for the first day of school on Monday. From Sinclair to Marshall to Henderson and Love, we've been getting questions from parents and asking the district about its readiness for the first day of school.
“People are frustrated and rightfully so,” Houston councilmember Abbie Kamin said.
Kamin said parents have called her office looking for answers, too.
“We're coordinating and working with our families,” she said. “But the City of Houston only has so much within our jurisdiction when it comes to HISD.”
Houston Public Works officials said all right of way debris around schools has been addressed, but while roads are clear, Kamin said concerns go beyond campus borders as well.
“As kids are having to navigate school routes, walking to school, things like that, debris can also be a concern,” she said. “And that is front of mind as well."
Kamin said district staff in contact with city officials have been responsive, but worries a bigger issue could be behind HISD’s response.
“I ask the question, how can they be successful when there is a hostile, intentional takeover of our school system that is designed to make our schools fail?” she said.
Late on Thursday, Houston Solid Waste sent us a statement saying they got a request for help from HISD and the department said it appears the district was not prepared to remove debris from its properties before the start of the year.
They add that they are working with HISD on organizing pickups which will start this week, continue next week and beyond.
Below is the full statement HISD sent us Thursday about schools' readiness.
"We are excited to welcome students and staff back for the 2024-2025 school year. All our teams have been working hard to ensure another successful year.
Several of our campuses and facilities were heavily impacted by severe weather events in May and over the summer. Our facilities teams have been working around the clock to repair damages and keep our schools properly maintained, and our goal is for all campuses to be ready for students on August 12.
The District is aware of mold detected in areas on at least two campuses. Remediation has been completed and air quality assessments have been taken. School and division leadership will communicate any updates with their communities so that all families are prepared for the first day of school."