HOUSTON — Many students across the greater Houston area will return to the classroom Monday morning, including those in the Houston Independent School District, which is the largest school district in the state.
“Well, we've been searching for lost backpacks and making sure that we have socks and shoes and everything ready,” said HISD parent Brooke Longoria.
Like many parents, Longoria spent her Sunday making sure her kids were ready for the first day of school.
“We're just really excited to be back at school and see our friends and the teachers we love and just be back with our community,” said Longoria.
Her two kids attend Helms Elementary and while they’re ready for a new school year, Longoria worries the district isn’t.
“My first concern would be the culture and history,” said Longoria. “Concerned about the number of principals who have left. I'm concerned about the number of teachers who have left just the turnover in general is unsettling.”
She’s also concerned about the campuses dealing with debris.
“We have had a rough spring and a rough summer, the derecho, Beryl,” said Longoria. “I know that my neighbors were down at Marshall Middle School helping clean up. You know, I’ve not seen much of HISD picking up storm debris, so I’m worried about those communities with fewer volunteers.”
“During the summer, we've been looking at, we've been fixing air conditioning units, we’ve been removing trees, removing debris all of that,’ said Miles.
Miles said he’s confident all 274 campuses will be ready to welcome students on the first day.
“There's a handful of buildings that may not have the grass cut by that time, but we're pretty confident that the overwhelming majority will,” said Miles.
Longoria still worries about the future of the district.
“It's been sad to see, you know, school communities lose, beloved principals, lose longtime educators,” said Longoria.