SAN DIEGO — School is back in session for the 2023-2024 school year for San Diego Unified students. The district was forced to push the first day of school a day due to Tropical Storm Hilary. But with the storm gone, students are reporting for school.
District officials will kick off the first day at Hoover High School in Talmadge.
"I would like to thank everyone for their understanding during the uncertain weather conditions brought on by Hurricane Hilary that delayed the start of the 2023-24 school year by one day,'' said District Superintendent Lamont Jackson. "Our team has evaluated our facilities since the storm arrived in San Diego County. Preliminary reports indicate minimal damage, and we are making any repairs that may be necessary.''
San Diego Unified students had to wait another day to start the new school year.
Instead of the planned Monday start, the new school year began for students on Tuesday, August 22. The start of school was delayed due to the projections related to Tropical Storm Hilary and the potential damage to school sites on Sunday into Monday.
Out of an abundance of caution, the second-largest school district in California decided to delay the start of the new 2023/24 school year by one day, according to the San Diego County of Education.
Monday, August 21, was used as an instructional day, and the schools will use the day to assess any issues from the storm and clean up campuses to ensure students have a safe place to learn.
The district serves an estimated 120,000 students from preschool through grade 12, with over 13,000 employees.
In conjunction with public safety partners, other school districts, charter schools, and private schools continue monitoring weather and road conditions. Most school districts in the county have already begun the 2023-24 school year and, conditions permitting, will operate as usual on Aug. 21 to ensure students have a safe place to go and learn, according to the Office of Education.
WATCH RELATED: San Diego Unified school teachers to get pay raise