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A public school district some 50 miles north of Houston decided on Tuesday to conclude the current academic year.
The Willis Independent School District (WISD) was originally slated to let out for summer vacation on Wednesday, but inclement weather that rumbled through the area caused some schools to lose power.
WISD officials subsequently chose to end the year a day early.
"We have been notified that unfortunately, not all campuses will have power restored in time for school [on Wednesday],” the district said in an email sent to parents obtained by Houston CBS affiliate KHOU. “Therefore, we have no other option than to close schools.”
“We will not need to make this day up because of extra minutes we have built into the calendar, so this will officially be the end of the 2022-23 school year,” the statement further read.
The district expressed disappointment, especially for the members of the Willis High School Class of 2023, but wished everyone “a wonderful summer,” according to the statement.
Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that the high school will reach out to students and parents via email regarding final exam makeups.
“We will see the rest of you back in August,” the district said.
The statement said there aren’t any changes to the planned commencement ceremony toward the end of the month, and WISD will make sure the seniors will be able to visit their old elementary schools one last time.
“We are working on a plan to invite seniors to walk the halls of their elementary schools later this week to see their teachers,” officials said.
Employees were directed to report to duty as normal, with campus principals having made arrangements to meet at alternate locations.
Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that some Willis residents said the storm blew by quickly.
Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management (MCOEM) head Jason Millsaps told KPRC that the Cape Malibu subdivision suffered the most damage with 40 homes hit.
Per KPRC, there were no injuries reported.