South San Antonio Faces Potential Changes in School Governance
South San Antonio, TX – On Thursday, September 20, 2023, significant developments emerged regarding the governance of the South San Antonio Independent School District (South San ISD). The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has indicated it is actively searching for new board members to replace the current school board, following their failure to demonstrate effective self-governance over the past year.
The Background
The South San ISD board has faced ongoing scrutiny and has been the focus of several state investigations due to issues related to operational and governance failures. Recently, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath addressed the situation in a letter to the board, highlighting that despite giving them a year to improve, the board has not met the set expectations.
What Went Wrong?
The district’s conservator, Abe Saavedra, has reported that the trustees did not meet critical performance goals and recommended that a new board of managers step in. Saavedra explained that this new governance structure would provide essential oversight that has been lacking and would allow community members with experience to take charge. “A board of managers will facilitate a clean break from the governance failures that have persisted in South San Antonio ISD,” he stated.
Next Steps
Morath has made it clear that he has yet to decide whether a complete state takeover of the district is necessary. He plans to review reports from Saavedra before making a final determination. In a bid to gauge community interest, the TEA is actively seeking applicants for the board of managers. Even though applications will be posted online next week, this does not mean that immediate changes to the governance structure will occur.
Community Engagement Concerns
The board’s performance has raised alarming questions about its engagement with the community. Saavedra mentioned that no significant outreach has been conducted in the past year, making it hard to assess whether qualified candidates are available to serve on any new governing board. The long-standing failure to hold community meetings challenges the board’s ability to understand the needs of the families and students they serve.
Trustee Attendance and Conduct Issues
Trustee attendance has significantly hindered progress, with an alarming report revealing that since Saavedra became conservator a year ago, only one out of 21 meetings was attended by all board members. Additionally, open disorder during meetings, including derogatory remarks between board members, has reflected poorly on the district. Saavedra expressed concern over how such incidents impact public perception and ultimately affect student outcomes.
What Lies Ahead?
As the TEA continues to evaluate the situation, Morath has provided the board a chance to present their side of the story. A future meeting with board leaders will take place to gather their perspectives on recent challenges. The outcome of these discussions may influence whether the existing board retains their positions or if intervention will indeed be necessary to safeguard the interests of South San ISD students.
In conclusion, the trajectory of South San Antonio’s educational leadership remains uncertain as stakeholders await the TEA’s next move. The focus will be on restoring stability and effective governance to ensure that students receive the support and education they deserve.
