MISSOURI CITY, Texas – Parents and other guardians crowded the doors of a Fort Bend ISD middle school after hot and uncomfortable conditions left students feeling the heat.
“I did not really like it, because it made me have headaches,” sixth grader Jaylon Davis said.
Parents and students at Missouri City Middle School said the issues began on Monday when the school’s air conditioning system went out.
“They had someone outside yesterday morning. The kids didn’t even get out the car,” parent Chrystal Monroe said.
Fort Bend ISD officials claimed that the issues were fixed overnight, and students were allowed to return to the campus Tuesday. However, many students said that the building still felt hot and stuffy when they returned to school.
“I don’t think they should allow anyone to come to school. There should have been a widespread message sent to all the parents,” parent Christian Fields said.
Upon receiving complaints, staff members placed fans and spot coolers throughout the hallways to try to cool down the building, but many parents had enough and just decided to pick up their children.
There were also reports of school staff members needing medical assistance due to heat related conditions.
Fort Bend ISD released the following statement on the situation:
The air conditioning at Missouri City Middle School was repaired overnight and is fully operational. The campus was inspected this morning by the Missouri City health inspector and all classrooms were cleared as having acceptable temperature conditions. To provide extra cooling support, an additional chiller will be installed this evening and fans and spot coolers remain in place for additional comfort. We thank our students and staff for their patience.
After seeing the statement, KPRC 2′s Bill Barajas asked if the district had information regarding where the issue started or if anyone needed medical attention on Tuesday as a result of the temperatures. Here’s what FBISD said:
Monday, September 23, FBISD maintenance crews observed that the air conditioning was not functioning properly. While the repairs were being made, fans and spot coolers were brought in to keep students and staff comfortable. Instruction and lunch were not impacted. Parents were allowed to pick up their students. The air conditioning at Missouri City Middle School was repaired overnight and is fully operational today Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The campus was inspected this morning by the Missouri City health inspector and all classrooms were cleared as having acceptable temperature conditions. The campus reported a few staff members reported feeling unwell and received medical assessments. To provide extra cooling support, an additional chiller will be installed this evening and fans and spot coolers will remain in place for additional comfort. We thank our students and staff for their patience.