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Significant hail and water damage to Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School Friday has rendered the school non-operational and prompted the La Joya school district to shift students and staff elsewhere.
The damage prompted trustees in an emergency meeting Monday to give their interim superintendent authorization to address damage.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Martin Muñoz told trustees that hail punched holes through the roof at Gonzalez, allowing water from that storm and other rain over the weekend to infiltrate the building.
“So water leaked through the ceiling and ventilation system, and damaged classroom resources and supplies,” he said.
Other schools sustained damage as well — administrators described more roof damage and broken windows — though the district says no other campus sustained “excessive damage” like Gonzalez did.
It’s unclear how much damage mitigation at Gonzalez will cost. The district expected architects to assess the building Monday after the emergency meeting.
The closure will impact students and staff for at least the next few months.
The district relocated the Gonzalez campus to Kika De La Garza Elementary Tuesday morning, with class times and bus routes remaining the same.
STAAR testing is underway this week, and Muñoz said testing has been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday for Gonzalez students, with makeup days for students who are out or have a difficult time transitioning to the new campus. Muñoz expected testing to go smoothly.
Other schools sustained damage as well — administrators described more roof damage and broken windows — though the district says no other campus sustained “excessive damage” like Gonzalez did.
Students assigned to attend Gonzalez Elementary for summer school will be reassigned to Perez Elementary, Muñoz said, noting that planned projects at Perez will be rescheduled.
“So we shouldn’t have any interruptions in regard to our planning. So we should be ready and easily transition to that,” he said.
Board President Alex Cantu complimented administrators’ response to the disaster.
“I do want to commend you and thank you for moving quickly, making sure that we provided the best care for our kids,” he said.
