San Antonio School Board Makes Significant Changes to Superintendent’s Retirement Benefits

San Antonio School Board Adjusts Superintendent’s Retirement Benefits

SAN ANTONIO – Big changes are unfolding at the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) as the board recently announced amendments to Superintendent Jaime Aquino’s contract, particularly concerning his retirement benefits. In a rather lengthy closed session last month that lasted over four hours, board members discussed a variety of issues, with Aquino’s contract being a key topic. While the board stayed tight-lipped about the specific details of the amendments, we’ve managed to get our hands on a copy of the amended contract.

What’s New in Aquino’s Contract?

According to the amended contract, one particularly noteworthy change allows Aquino to purchase service credit under the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Here’s where it gets interesting: for each year he’s under contract, the district is agreeing to pitch in up to 15% of Aquino’s annual salary to help him buy that service credit. But wait—there’s more! If for some reason that amount doesn’t cover the cost of the credit, SAISD would be responsible for paying the remaining balance.

SAISD spokeswoman Laura Short noted that the reason behind these changes was to provide “greater clarity on the original intent of the clause.” Clarity is great, but it does also make one wonder what exactly was unclear to begin with!

Recent Spotlight on a Personal Coach

This amendment comes just a week after reports about another aspect of Aquino’s contract caught some public attention—specifically concerning a personal development coach he negotiated into his deal. The contract allows for the district to cover costs for the coach’s travel, up to three trips a year to and from San Antonio. So far, the district claims there have been no expenses tied to that coach. Mysterious, right?

In an effort to shed some light on this situation, inquiries have been made requesting a contract for the coach, as well as receipts and any correspondence between Aquino and the coach. However, SAISD has asked the state to keep these records private, claiming they are not public information.

A Look Back at Contract Changes

This isn’t the first time the board has amended Aquino’s contract; the last round of changes happened back in December 2023. It appears that changes to his contract have become somewhat of a trend, and one can’t help but be curious what other adjustments might come down the pipeline!

As the board continues to navigate these contract modifications, community members are urged to stay engaged and informed about the governance of their local schools. After all, transparency is crucial, especially when it comes to the education of future generations. We’re all about community here in San Antonio, so it’s important to have open dialogues and discussions about such significant decisions.

Final Thoughts

The adjustments to Superintendent Jaime Aquino’s contract have certainly sparked conversations among residents of San Antonio. As always, we encourage the community to stay tuned for updates, as these contracts and the decisions behind them can ultimately impact students, teachers, and families in the district.

Be sure to follow along as this story continues to develop, and let’s keep the conversation going about the future of our schools!