Published: April 08, 2009 02:28 pm      

VISD counts blessings in '09

VIDOR — The Vidor Independent School District was one of the lucky ones when dealing with Hurricane Ike-related damage.

Although there was no storm surge damage to any of the district’s facilities, there was still plenty of wind damage to go around and a little water damage from rain.

According to Sally Kirkpatrick, the Vidor ISD director of community relations, the most noticeable damage to the district was at its sports facilities.

The outfield fence surrounding the Vidor High School baseball field was blown down, and the batting cages were totally destroyed.

Scoreboards at the baseball field and Vidor Junior High school football field were also blown over, and the stands adjancent to the junior high football field were damaged as well.

Much of the damage to the district’s seven campuses was roof damage, which included air conditioners, flashing and building trim, ridgecaps and other issues.

Water damage to many of the facilities was due to the roof damage as well. Water entry into some facilities cause ceiling tile damage and ruined carpets in hallways and classrooms.

“Our maintenance department is handling most of the repairs, and the worst of it is fixed, but not all of it,” Kirkpatrict said. “They can’t do the remainder of the work while children are in the classrooms.”

Enrollment at Vidor ISD has remained constant with pre-Ike figures as well.

At the start of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment at Vidor ISD was 4,851 students. By January 11, the district’s enrollment figure was 4,828 students.