Updated Sept. 2 at 12:20 p.m.

District officials have now announced Sept. 11 will be the first day of school. Read the superintendent's statement for more information:  https://cfisd-superintendent.blogspot.com/2017/09/revised-start-date.html.



Cy-Fair ISD called an emergency board meeting Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. Superintendent Mark Henry announced Tuesday, Sept. 5, will be a staff work day for educators to prepare their classrooms for students to return on Wednesday, Sept. 6, for the official first day of school.

The board of trustees also unanimously approved its one action item: to authorize the superintendent or his designee to negotiate and execute contracts and purchases necessary to repair damage to district property caused by Hurricane Harvey. This also authorizes Henry or his designee to seek any insurance proceeds as well as federal and state aid to offset costs during this time.

Chief of Operations Officer Roy Sprague said this was the same procedure the district followed after Hurricane Ike to get the district back in working order.

Sprague said 71 campuses and 10 administrative support facilities took on water, leaving many with wet flooring, damaged ceiling tiles and fallen trees. Moore Elementary School was devastated enough to necessitate a three- to four-month renovation project.

Six campuses, including Cypress Ranch High School, Rennell Elementary School and Anthony Middle School, were affected by a tornado in the Towne Lake area that knocked down trees and damaged some fencing with minor exterior damage and some window damage.

Sprague said his team is working to prepare all other campuses for operations by Saturday night, including a full relocation of Moore to the old Matzke Elementary School building at 13102 Jones Road, Houston.

“Moore will be basically a brand new school when we’re done in December,” Sprague said.

All campuses have had power restored, and because of the sandbagging and other preparation work done ahead of Harvey, Sprague said the district has a minimal amount of repairs to make and cleanup work ahead.

Out of the 12,347 employees that responded to a district survey, 869 indicated they are unable to return to work on Sept. 5. On a typical school day, the district can put 600 substitute teachers in schools.

Officials said they are aware that several families are in shelters, and they will be working over the weekend to get a number of displaced students. Through the month of September, all students will receive free meals regardless of eligibility.

Supporters can donate to Moore teachers at www.youcaring.com/mooreelementaryteachers-920354.