Nov. 3, 2020 – In a pivotal moment for the San Antonio Independent School District, voters approved two bond propositions that will have a major impact, boosting even further the quality of learning on campuses throughout the District.

• Proposition A totals $1.21 billion and will include significant renovations to 36 SAISD campuses: 21 campuses that have not been fully renovated in more than half a century, and another 15 that would receive finishing improvement from work that was done in either Bond 2016 or Bond 2010. Chillers that are 15 years old or more would be replaced, and each campus would also receive security improvements.

• Proposition B includes $90 million for technology upgrades in every classroom to provide high-speed connectivity, individual devices, support tools, interactive smart boards and audio systems.

This historic bond falls on the heels of monumental academic growth throughout SAISD. Superintendent Pedro Martinez sees Bond 2020 as a way to align the facilities in the District to the academic achievement being demonstrated by its students.

“We’re grateful to our community and to our taxpayers. Our academics have been improving so much. We’re one of the fastest improving school districts in the state. And now, we’re able to match our facilities and our classroom spaces with those academic gains,” Martinez said. “Every school will be impacted – whether it’s upgrading every single classroom to be a 21st-century classroom, replacing our outdated AC systems, or upgrading our security systems.”

SAISD’s Trustees voted unanimously to place the two propositions on the Nov. 3 ballot after receiving a recommendation from the community-driven Blue Ribbon Task Force, co-chaired by Mario Barrera and Victoria Moreno-Herrera, to move forward. The Task Force met throughout the spring and summer, touring the facilities and making note of building conditions. Their report detailed a need for campus improvements and upgrades. It also helps further develop long-range groundwork through Master Plan 2030, which has been what District leaders have been creating since 2017.

“We had really strong people take part in the process,” Barrera said. “The tours gave us a really good sense of the condition of the schools. One of the oldest campuses I toured – ALA Euclid – was built in the 1880s. M.L. King Academy, built in the 1950s, is one of the newest buildings I saw. The rest of the schools were built somewhere in between. We’ve seen our share of problems.”

SAISD Board President Patti Radle echoed Superintendent Martinez’s enthusiasm and set the tone for the next chapter in SAISD’s history.

"The boldness of our board and superintendent in the size of this bond is a statement about SAISD's determination to address the historic inequality and deterioration of the condition of our school facilities,” Radle said. “We thank the voters who have joined us in saying enough is enough! Our students deserve great facilities that match the great learning that has been going on inside our buildings. We think students, parents and faculty will be amazed by the change that is coming. On behalf of our families, our Board is tremendously excited. And, again, very grateful!"

Martinez said there will be no time wasted as work begins to seek out qualified firms that will take SAISD forward and build on efficiencies started in past bond projects.

“The work will continue,” Martinez said. “We’ll be able to leverage the efficiencies that we have with our current bond.”