A major incident on San Antonio's I-35 southbound lanes near AT&T Center Parkway triggered a traffic shutdown late Saturday, according to the San Antonio Police Department. The announcement, shared via social media, noted that the entire southbound stretch of the interstate was closed as officers managed the accident scene. Traffic was rerouted to the access roads as a consequence. Details about the accident, including its cause and any potential injuries, were not immediately available. Updates are expected as more information emerges, as per KSAT.
In a separate but disruptive event, San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) confirmed the resignation of two high-ranking officials following system failures that led to the closure of all 98 district schools. Superintendent Jaime Aquino, in a memo to his staff, emphasized that "Apologies aren’t enough" to address the collective breakdown caused by human error and problematic equipment. He accepted the resignations of Ken Thompson and Mike Eaton, in the wake of the district's decision to cancel classes due to widespread heating system failures amid freezing conditions. This information was relayed in a copy of the memo provided to KSAT.
The heating crisis unfolded during a brutal cold front that sent temperatures plummeting, with some classrooms recording temperatures in the low 50s. Initially, 20 campuses shuttered on Wednesday but as further issues surfaced, an another 11 schools joined the closure list. By week's end, Aquino conducted a press conference announcing the district-wide shutdown. He acknowledged that the failures were multifaceted, pledging to commission an external investigation and to issue a comprehensive report detailing the breakdown.
Interim operational leadership has been appointed, with Jenny Arredondo stepping in to oversee operations alongside Patti Salzmann's senior executive support. Over the weekend, approximately 50 HVAC experts were mobilized to evaluate and repair the stricken heating systems. Aquino noted that despite the setbacks, reopening schools on Monday remains a primary concern. Meanwhile, students received absences excused for the closure dates and were offered instructional resources and meals through curbside pickups. Emphasizing the district's commitment, Aquino told KSAT, "Ensuring the opening of school on Monday remains our utmost priority."
