By Lorenzo Salinas

l.v.salinas@panews.com

 

Port Arthur Independent School District is gearing up for another school year and they’re not going to let something like a natural disaster caused by Harvey deter them for long.

In a public statement released Monday on Facebook, superintendent Mark Porterie addressed students, parents and employees on a number of matters, including Thomas Jefferson Middle School, employee status and building updates.

When discussing the shelter located at TJ, Porterie made it clear that the school gym and facilities would be cleared out in time for the district-wide start date of Sept. 18.

“We will not have evacuees at Thomas Jefferson when our children return,” Porterie said.

He said city officials like the mayor and councilmen are currently trying to find new places for displaced residents, and that the process is nearly complete.

“So, we’re looking forward to making sure our school gets back to its normal capacity,” Porterie said. “They will make sure our evacuees are placed in a safe environment.”

Porterie explained that when TJ opened its doors for displaced residents, it was only as a temporary solution.

“It wasn’t a permanent fix … and we are thankful that the city is looking for a long-term shelter in place for some of our citizens in order for them to be able to think, get back into the swing of things and understand exactly what they need to do.”

Porterie said the waived uniform dress code for pre-K through eighth grade students and this will most likely continue through Christmas holidays until January.

In the same vein, he said PAISD employees’ dress code would be relaxed but would still be professional.

“We are professionals,” Porterie said. “As employees of the Port Arthur Independent School District, we have to be models for our students.”

As for the district’s displaced staff, Porterie expressed his wishes for all employees to get back as soon as they could for the new school year but said administration would take each employee’s status on a case-by-case basis. He was deliberate in not prescribing a “blanket statement” for all employees.

“We want all our employees to get back as soon as possible and that’s the bottom line.”

Porterie instructed staff to contact administration in any way they could—through email, phone, online—and let them know their status. He suggested they work with their immediate supervisor, human resources or himself to see about their individual needs.

When talking about the district’s buildings, Porterie was overall optimistic.

“Most or all of our buildings are in great shape,” he said. “It’s amazing how the majority of our buildings did not receive any water intrusion.”

Lucien Adams Elementary and the administration building on 9^th Avenue, however, did receive damages from floodwaters.

Porterie said the district has employed remediation company URI to work on Adams.

“They’re working through Adams and they’ve cut out walls, cut out flooring, and so they’re doing everything very, very quickly.”

Porterie said the administration building sustained floodwaters of about three feet and that it was “destroyed for the most part, but we’re getting it back.” He commented that it, too, was currently being worked on.

“We’ve assessed all our buildings and they look great,” Porterie said. “And we’re ready to receive students.”

As for time missed due to disasters, Porterie said the district has applied with the Texas Education Agency for waivers. In particular, for upcoming seniors, he remained steadfast in their graduation date.

“We plan to have graduation on June 6, 2018 with all of our seniors present.”

According to state law, displaced families have the right to relocate their children to other school districts if situation and preference demand. Accordingly, Porterie said PAISD would help families in whatever way they could.

Finally, Porterie addressed the issue of counseling for students and faculty and said there would “absolutely” be social workers and counselors to assist them should they need it.

“We will have counselors on the job on day one to help our students get back into the swing of things.”

He said that help would also extend to parents should they need it.

“We will help you any way we can,” Porterie said.

“We want you to understand that Port Arthur is strong. No matter what has happened in the last two weeks, we are strong.”