From the school district's point of view, Tuesday was a success. Attendance numbers are improving, but there's another set of numbers to consider.
Tuesday was the second day of class since the unthinkable happened last Wednesday, when student Joshua Broussard was fatally stabbed.
The district says 60 percent attended Monday and 85 percent returned to school on Tuesday. The daily average is 92.5 percent for the past school year. But a few of those absences will be permanent.
"There's no communication. I don't feel this school is safe and after today, I don't think my child will ever be back here," one parent said.
After the death on campus, a number of parents said they would be sending their children to other schools. As of Tuesday, the number of withdrawals and transfers is at 7. Among those are Chris Wyatt's children.
"It was not a difficult decision for me. For my kids, I think they struggled with it," he said.
Wyatt's daughter is in private school now. His son, who is a top-rank member of the debate team, wants to transfer as well.
"When they realized that the district has this news conference and really wasn't owning up to their responsibility as to the safety of the schools, that made it a very easy decision for them to say I want out," Wyatt said.
It will cost the family money but it's a price Wyatt is willing to pay for his children.
"What happened, it kind of slapped everybody in the face and say, 'Hey, wait a minute. We have a lot of issues that we haven't dealt with,'" he said.
Spring ISD is hosting a series of town hall sessions with parents starting Wednesday night. They are: Wednesday, September 11 from 9 to 10 a.m.; Thursday, September 12 from 9 to 10 a.m.; Monday, Sept. 16 from 9 to 10 a.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 pm and Tuesday, September 17 from 6:30 -7:30 in the Spring High teaching theater. Beginning at noon on Monday, September 9 parents may register online at the school website or call 281-891-7000. If a session is full, please choose another.
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