HISD superintendent blames past administrations for heating issues, but district silent on fixes

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- After a day and a half of cold classrooms, Lanier Middle School student Allen Eagens had enough and called his grandma.

"It was cold, like very chilly," Eagens said.

His grandma, Chiqita St. Cyr, went to her car and drove the 20 minutes to pick him up.

"The kids coming to school in the cold and stuff like that with no heat and no water. It don't make no sense, you know what I'm saying?" St. Cyr said.

On Wednesday, HISD Superintendent Mike Miles said heating and water issues could be attributed to former administrations neglecting building upkeep.

SEE ALSO: Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles says he regrets closing schools during freeze

"Even with an infrastructure that we have not invested in, in over a decade, even with all the challenges of that, principals, maintenance workers, teachers, all did what they had to do to educate kids today," Miles said.

ABC13 asked HISD how it plans to end the cycle of delaying building renovations, but they did not answer that question. Officials did say some buildings continued to have heat issues but that portable heaters had been delivered and parts had been ordered to fix ongoing issues.

"It's very old infrastructure. This district has kicked the can down the road for far too long. So, of course, there are going to be some issues, but that didn't prevent us as a district from being essential," Miles said.

"I'm mad. The superintendent needs to be doing a better job than he's doing," St. Cyr said.

St. Cyr said she plans to drop her grandson off at school on Friday, but she'll be waiting by her phone in case it's cold for a third day.

RELATED: 'Beyond frustrating': Multiple HISD elementary, middle schools having heater issues, district says

"We're gonna try it again tomorrow, and I'm going to tell him the same thing. If it's not working call," St. Cry said.

HISD's full statement to ABC13 read:

All of our schools are open today and operating on schedule. We are not seeing many weather-related issues. There are a few campuses where the boiler or mechanical system tripped, and technicians are on site making repairs. At campuses where work is taking place or crews are waiting on parts, HISD has provided portable heating units until the main heating system is fixed. Students and staff have also been moved to other parts of school buildings as needed. We are not seeing any significant water issues or water damage across the district.

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