To all SAISD Staff:

I am reaching out to provide you with an update on the status of our preparedness for the reopening of campuses on Monday. Rest assured, we will open schools on Monday, Jan. 22.

Over the past few days and throughout the weekend, we have been diligently focused on this matter. Our primary goal is to ensure we can fulfill our commitment to our school community. Below are the steps we have taken.

SAISD has organized a comprehensive response to the system-wide problem of cold classroom temperatures across our schools. We are assessing the temperatures of every classroom on a daily basis.  We are identifying schools that require repairs to HVAC and other building systems that maintain classroom temperature. Additionally, we are deploying as many as 50 technicians a day, including district employees, contractors, temporary staff and volunteers from other school districts and local government agencies. The technicians are addressing as many system problems as possible, and we have additional plans in place should we need them. 

Here is what you can expect on Monday:
• Principals have developed contingency plans to quickly pivot if isolated instructional areas are facing heating issues. Alternative plans will be in place for seamless learning.
• As part of a districtwide contingency plan, the district also has procured portable climate-controlled units. 
• Additional district staff and substitutes will be deployed to all campuses on Monday for support.
• Child Nutrition Services will be ready to pivot in the event meals must be served in classrooms.
• Campus leadership will call a hotline number to immediately report issues.
• Throughout the week, technicians from staff and vendors will be stationed at high schools in each feeder pattern to quickly be deployed to schools that need support.

Ensuring the opening of school on Monday remains our utmost priority. Simultaneously, as we address the immediate crisis, we are actively collecting information to form a long-term plan that prevents a recurrence of this situation.

Thank you for your patience and dedication. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

In service,
Jaime