Houston ISD Braces for Looming Cold Snap

Superintendent Mike Miles Discusses District’s Antiquated Infrastructure

Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles discusses the district’s unofficial accountability ratings for the 2023-24 school year on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, at Hilliard Elementary.

Houston ISD, like the rest of the region, is bracing for a looming cold snap next week. And Superintendent Mike Miles said it’s going to be a test for the district’s antiquated infrastructure.

“We’re going to be fighting the heating wars all winter,” Miles said earlier this week. “I mean, we’ve got old infrastructure.”

Heat Issues Reported at Several Campuses

At least four HISD campuses had heating problems last week, when overnight temperatures dropped below freezing, causing students to be moved to warmer classrooms in some cases.

Preparing for the Cold Snap

To prepare, HISD Chief Operations Officer Alishia Jolivette said they’re going to have campuses’ boilers running through the weekend.

“So, when students and staff leave on Friday, we want to make sure the boilers are still up and running,” Jolivette said.

Jolivette added that maintenance crews will be performing checks on campuses to make sure “systems are still up and running, there are no ruptured pipes, no leaks or anything like that.”

No Plans to Cancel Classes

As of Thursday, the district said it does not expect to cancel classes on Tuesday, when the forecasted high is 38 degrees and there is a chance for snow, sleet and freezing rain.

Conclusion

The upcoming cold snap is expected to be a test for Houston ISD’s infrastructure, and the district is taking steps to prepare. While some campuses have already experienced heating issues, the district is confident that it can handle the challenges ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Will classes be canceled due to the cold snap?

A: As of Thursday, the district does not expect to cancel classes on Tuesday, when the forecasted high is 38 degrees and there is a chance for snow, sleet and freezing rain.

Q: How is the district preparing for the cold snap?

A: HISD Chief Operations Officer Alishia Jolivette said campuses’ boilers will be running through the weekend, and maintenance crews will be performing checks to ensure systems are functioning properly.

Q: What is the current temperature forecast for Tuesday?

A: The forecasted high for Tuesday is 38 degrees, with a chance for snow, sleet, and freezing rain.