Superintendent Lynn Torres
Lufkin ISD staff, parents, and students:
This past week has been another unexpected test of the Lufkin ISD family. Like all our challenges over the past year, we have prevailed and have acted in the best interest of our students and community. My hope is that we can return to school on Tuesday, Feb. 23. We will take Monday to check our campuses and prepare for the return of students and staff. We understand that not all of our students may be able to return. We do not know their individual situation and whether they have power and water restored. Hopefully, they are all safe and ready to return.
I know some parents are concerned that we will need to extend the school year to make up for these missed school days. Right now, we will use the waiver provided by TEA to waive the missed days due to a weather emergency allowing us not to have to use banked minutes or make up missed days. That waiver will need to be approved by TEA. The Board of Trustees will take action on that waiver this week during their postponed Board meeting. Between ice, power, and water, we more than meet the criteria stated in the waiver. This is just another hurdle for us that I am confident we will clear.
I am so appreciative of our staff through this recent ice, snow, power and water incident. Our Maintenance staff has worked throughout the crisis and this weekend to identify and fix problems on our campuses. Our Student Nutrition and Warehouse staff has worked to move food to working freezers to preserve our resources. Our Transportation department has checked buses and routes making sure they are ready for students. Principals have braved the weather to check on their campuses and kept in contact with our staff and students. I appreciate the sense of community unique to Lufkin. I’ve never been so happy to see the sunshine, and I know our teachers and staff cannot wait to see our students on Tuesday.