SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Independent School District is under scrutiny after they canceled classes for a second day due to freezing temperatures, while other major Bexar County districts reopened on Wednesday.
This move has raised questions among parents, especially considering the district’s ongoing challenges with maintaining warm classrooms during cold weather.
Some parents voiced their frustration and confusion over the decision, with many questioning why SAISD was shutting down schools again, mainly when all other major districts in the area, at a minimum, only had delays.
“I just really didn’t understand why it was going to be canceled,” Alizabeth Martinez, a parent in the district, said.
The district has previously faced criticism for its infrastructure struggles, especially regarding its HVAC systems.
On Jan. 17, 2024, SAISD experienced “systemic failures” in its heating system, leading to the temporary closure of 98 schools because classrooms could not maintain adequate temperatures.
SAISD superintendent Jaime Aquino sent parents a letter apologizing for last year’s situation, in which he stated, “We have failed our students, staff, and community by not having accurate and reliable information.”
Despite efforts to prepare for the cold weather, the district cited safety concerns for students walking or waiting for buses as the reason for the closures on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, a district statement noted that while they had worked diligently to ready the facilities, “the age of some buildings presents unique challenges.”
For parents, the repeated school closures have a significant impact. One parent, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed concern about the financial strain of missing work due to school closures.
“Even calling off a day disrupts the income, especially as a single mom who has to provide for her kids,” she said.
While this parent was not scheduled to work Wednesday, she said if she did, she would rely on friends and family for childcare, but she acknowledged that not all families have that luxury.
When asked whether they would prefer taking a financial hit to ensure their children are not in cold classrooms, many parents said they would choose to stay home. “I would rather miss work so she’s not cold,” said Martinez.
KSAT reached out to district officials for the following reasons:
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Why did SAISD cancel classes for the second consecutive day, and were the HVAC systems a factor in the closure?
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Given the forecast for more freezing temperatures, what is the district’s plan for Thursday?
KSAT has not yet heard back from the district.
However, SAISD posted on their social media pages that they would be open for classes on Thursday.
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