Two members of San Antonio City Council are calling on Northside Independent School District to “work collaboratively” with parents affected by the district’s decision to pause improvements to nine elementary schools.
NISD was expected to make nearly $200 million in improvements to its facilities after voters approved a $992 million bond in 2022. However, district’s board recently pumped the brakes, citing obstacles such as declining enrollment and tightening budgets.
Despite those challenges, District 4 Councilman Edward Mungia and District 6 Councilman Ric Galvan warned NISD in a letter that the pause disproportionately affects students on the economically disadvantaged West Side and urged the district to find was to better communicate with stakeholders.
Assistant Superintendent for Communications Barry Perez told the Current the board didn’t make its decision lightly.
“Like several neighboring districts, we are currently navigating some very real challenges, from changing enrollment numbers to a tightening financial landscape,” Perez said in an emailed statement. “Because of this, we have made the decision to pause nine of our bond-funded projects.”
The pause will allow NISD to adjust its plans to better serve students while seeking future stability, he added.
In their letter, Mungia and Galvan acknowledged the changing landscape for school districts, but said NISD must gather input from families, staffers and others in the community given the stakes of its decision. The upgrades now on hold include $117 million in upgrades to elementary school campuses including Valley Hi, Meadow Village, Hull, Cable and Linton.
“We recognize the challenges posed by shifting enrollment and financial constraints,” Mungia and Galvan wrote. “At the same time, decisions of this scale underscore the importance of transparency and community engagement. Families, educators, and local stakeholders should have the opportunity to better understand these changes and provide input before plans are altered.”
Enrollment at NISD has declined by 7,400 students since the 2022 bond passed. That hurts the district’s bottom line considering the bulk of state funding is allocated on a per-pupil basis.
NISD isn’t the only area district struggling with the problem.
Last month, San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) voted to close Rhodes Middle School due to dwindling enrollment. That decision followed the district’s 2023 vote to close 15 campuses for similar reasons.
Some experts worry the rise of charter schools and Texas’ controversial school voucher program could further lure students away from neighborhood public schools, worsening drops in enrollment.
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