Spring ISD: 60 percent of Spring HS students attended classes on Monday

SPRING – Spring High School students returned to the classroom Monday morning for the first time since Wednesday's fatal stabbing.

Seventeen-year-old Joshua Broussard was killed in the middle of the school's cafeteria last Wednesday.

Since then, 17-year-old Luis Alfaro was arrested following the stabbing that killed Broussard and injured three other students. Alfaro is charged with one count of murder.

On Monday, students returned to the classroom with a heavy police presence. Spring ISD said attendance for Monday was about 60 percent. The current enrollment for Spring High is 3,062.

As part of the school's increased security plans, students entered through two entrances and passed through metal detectors before going to class. 

Another new rule in place allows students to only carry clear backpacks or ziplock bags. Spring ISD said it learned through parent phone calls that the clear backpacks are not easy to find, so the district has ordered some and will provide them to students. Until the backpacks arrive, students must use large clear ziplock-type bags.

Girls are allowed to carry small purses, but they could not be larger than a loaf of bread.

A normal class schedule resumed Monday with start times of 7:15 a.m. and at 8:30 a.m. Counseling sessions were available to students and faculty.

Spring ISD officials said the school's principal, Donna Ullrich, reported that the school day was off to a great start.

In addition to the stepped up security, trained crisis counselors will be on campus as long as necessary to assist students trying to heal.

There are fears of retaliation and Sunday night, there were reports of a shooting at a memorial for Broussard.

Funeral services for Broussard were planned for Monday morning at Spring Baptist Church.

Alfaro's next court appearance is scheduled for October 1.

Parent meetings to be held at school

Spring High School Principal Donna Ullrich sent a message to parents Sunday night saying the school will be holding five meetings over the next week to have a conversation about safety and security, and to hear concerns and suggestions.

Each session is limited to 75 people. All of the meetings will be held in the Spring High teaching theater.

Here are the dates:

Wed. Sept. 11 from 9am-10am
Thurs. Sept. 12 from 9am-10am
Mon. Sept. 16 from 9am-10am; and from 6:30pm-7:30pm
Tues. Sept. 17 from 6:30pm-7:30pm

Parents may register online at the school website or call 281-891-7000. If a session is full, please choose another.

Ullrich said the school would add more meetings if needed to parent response.