Q: Will we have a mariachi at this academy? 
A: There are currently no plans to start a mariachi program at the proposed Kelly Academy. The school would keep its current band, choir and art class offerings. 

Q: Early childhood education is so important. Will these new academies include pre-k? If so please consider implementing Montessori methods for the little ones or a hybrid of Montessori.
A: All SAISD elementaries and academies will offer Early Childhod Programming. Kelly Academy will offer Head Start programming, services and resources. Kelly Head Start will offer an ECSE co-teach classroom for our youngest learner identified with special needs.  

Q: Please consider working with our local universities to bring in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapists to assist teachers and students in the classroom. We desperately need them. 
A: SAISD is currently collaborating with area universities to bring in Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) in training. Additionally, the District employs several BCBAs.   

Q: So, is the district going to promote the new academies and choice schools to the parents?
A:  If the board votes to go forward with the Rightsizing resolution, each school will utilize its multidisciplinary School Empowerment team, who will work collaboratively to help families learn what school options will best fit their child. Additionally, we will have virtual tours and visits of the receiving campuses starting at the end of November.Any parents with questions about enrollment options at the newly formed school and academies can reach out to the following resources.    

Empower Family Hotline: (210)244-0845    
Email: empowerfamilies@saisd.net    
SAISD Enrollment Office: (210)554-2660   

To learn more about any of SAISD’s current offerings, view our digital Enrollment Guide, which features all of our schools. If you are interested in a choice campus, you can visit saisdchoice.com.  

Q: Is there no concern about the academic level Kelly is graded an A school and Lowell is graded a C school, before that it was an F-graded school? This is a concern of mine.  
A: In our first round of community meetings, participants overwhelmingly shared that they did not want a school’s state rating to be a determining factor in the Rightsizing process. There are so many other ways to gauge school success beyond a state rating. State ratings only tell one part of a school’s story and don’t factor in aspects like school culture, atmosphere, teacher satisfaction, community involvement, etc. Bringing together two different campuses will be challenging, but we plan to make the transition as smooth as possible with the right leadership, tools, and resources.  

Q: Will there be any kind of early retirement incentive for those employees affected by the campus resizing?
A: No. We do not want to lose any of our teachers. 

Q: Will Mrs. Hernandez be the principal of the new school because she has allowed the new activities to the school that lets us connect to the community? Will Kelly/Lowell merger mean there will be a network principal overseeing both campuses? 

A: Any decisions on school leadership haven’t been made, and we are developing a process for determining campus leadership. That process will be announced on Nov. 13, when the Board votes on the Rightsizing recommendation.  It is important to remember that we have leadership changes in our schools every year for various reasons – principals moving to other schools, retiring, or being promoted are just a few examples.
This year, we had 18 principals across the district who were new in that role at their campus. Over the last few years, we have had similar numbers of new principals across our schools.   In the 2024-2025 school year, we predict there will be similar movement.
Schools that may merge through Rightsizing will go through a process (which is still being developed) to select a principal for that school. The school’s Campus Advisory Council, which includes teachers, families, and community members, will be asked to give recommendations on selecting their school’s leadership. There will be an emphasis on finding leaders who can help merge the identities, culture, families, and staff of the combined campuses. 

Q: With the exception of the teachers who as an incentive should be allowed to bring their children to our district, will you be charging tuition for out of district students at these academies? 
A: No, SAISD will not charge tuition to students who live outside of district boundaries and choose to attend our schools. 

Q: Don't parents use academic performance when selecting their child's school? How are you asking parents not to use that when making a decision?
A: From August to September SAISD conducted 18 Neighborhood Meetings to get feedback from parents and members of the community regarding what the district should considered when looking at campuses. Parents and community members overwhelmingly said that academic performance should not be a factor in decision making. Their reasoning included:
a. Academic performance ratings based on how well students perform on standardized tests often does not provide good evidence of the learning that is happening on a campus. Questions even exist among education professionals regarding the validity of standardized tests and what they can and cannot show about a campus. An example of this is this year’s decision by the Texas Education Agency to delay the release of school ratings to re-evaluate the data and what it shows.
b. The changes proposed by SAISD will create better learning environments for all its students by increasing resources, academic programs, staffing and extracurricular activities. All of this will lead to higher academic success for all students.
We hope that you will also consider these factors when looking at our SAISD schools. If you have questions or are interested in specific campuses, we encourage you to find more information at www.saisd.net/choice and set up a time to visit the campus/campuses for a tour.

Q: Since SAISD does not value the TEA academic performance measures, are there going to be additional measures created? Academic performance should be measured and reported.
Q: How can you not rely on, or trust TEA measures yet cite voting in the state of Texas as a positive and reliable system?

A: The San Antonio Independent School District values the Texas Education Agency’s system of standardized testing as one measure of the success of each student and campus. And as education professionals with the best interest of each student at heart, we are constantly developing qualitative and quantitative means for assessing our students and campuses.

A: Beacon Hill will offer the PK program. Head Start will be offered at other schools throughout the district. If a parent would like Head Start, Head Start enrollment team will assist the parent in selecting a Head Start campus that meets their needs.

Q: How will the ALE students be split? Will there be a K-2nd and then a 3rd-8th classroom at the other campus.
A: At this time, special education services will be provided on both campuses.

Q: Will these two schools have their own art teacher, music teacher, librarian, etc? or will they have to share?
A: As of now, Beacon Hill and Cotton both have music teachers and art teachers 2 days a week each.  If the schools are combined, both campuses would share a full-time art and full-time music teacher. Also, both campuses currently have 1/2 time band directors.  If the schools are combined, there would be a full-time band director at Cotton.

Q: When will staff be notified of admin teams selected to lead the campuses?
A: SAISD is committed to supporting faculty and staff through any possible changes due to the rightsizing effort. As part of this support, we have developed the Empower Plan for Employee Support. In the plan you can find steps SAISD will take to keep all its employees with the district and a timeline for efforts. To learn more, visit www.saisd.net/rightsizing and click on Empower Plan – Employee Support. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us again.

Q: How secure is my position at my campus if there is a drop in enrollment due to parents wanting a "one stop shop" campus and move to another academy.
A: We understand how insecure this process and the possibility of a rightsizing package passing may make you feel. We want to assure you that if a rightsizing plan is passed SAISD is ready to support our faculty and staff. We have developed the Empower Plan for Employee Support which you can find at www.saisd.net/rightsizing. This plan includes details on the commitments we have made to retain faculty and staff and the plan for movement into new positions. It also includes a timeline for the transition. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call the Human Capital Management hotline at 210-244-0840.

Q: How does the staff feel about this? How do I know my children's teachers want this to go through? This will affect their overall mental health, well-being, and education of our kids.
A: The San Antonio Independent School District is committed to retaining our faculty and staff and to, whenever possible, having them follow their students. We have developed the Empower Plan for Employee Support which can found at www.saisd.net/rightsizing. The plan includes details on the commitments we have made to retain faculty and staff and the plan for movement into new positions. It also includes a timeline for the transition.

Q: How will we fill vacancies on each campus?
A: Thank you for your thoughtful question and concern. While staffing is a concern for all educational institutions, SAISD is working proactively to find solutions to issues that may arise due to rightsizing efforts. The district has a plan in place to retain faculty and staff. This plan, Empower Plan – Employee Support, can be found at www.saisd.net/rightsizing. Some of the highlights of the plan include a commitment with actions to, whenever possible, move faculty, staff and administrators with children, an outlined process and timeline for transitions, and in some cases stipends for staying. We encourage all employees, parents and concerned community members to become familiar with both the Empower-Employee Support and Empower-Family Support plans.

Q: Change is needed for SAISD. Unfortunately, this change feels like more issues for parents and the community rather than solutions.
A: Yes, we recognize is a terribly stressful time for our students and parents. The fact that our families have histories with campuses going back to their opening makes this process even more difficult. But SAISD must focus on what is best for all our students and ensure that distribution of resources and programs is equitable.

Q: What if the numbers drop in both schools due to charter schools near both Cotton and Beacon?
A: SAISD is proud of the education, supportive resources, extracurricular activities, and community we offer students and their families. We hope that our families will see these not just continue but improve through rightsizing efforts and remain in the district.

Q: Would there be a plan to build up on campus to eventually truly merge campuses?
A: We do not have a plan for that at this time.

Q: Why not merge Cotton and Twain?
A: Twain is one of the highest enrolled schools in SAISD. By merging Cotton Academy and Beacon Hill, the two campuses will form a robust, well-resourced academy.  As a facility, Cotton is better suited to serve the grades 3-8. As a result, it is projected that in 2024 there will be 500 students in grades 03-08 at the Cotton campus, and a total of 878 PK-8 students at Cotton Academy.

Q: Why merge the 2 schools if both campuses ar going to stay open?
A: The merger will help grow academic resources for all students at Beacon Hill/Cotton.

Q: Combining campuses works out because all students go to the same campus together. This merger doesn't seem to work out because we are splitting families that were originally together.
A: We understand there are reasons parents prefer to have their children at the same campus. SAISD is obligated to consider the needs of all its students. We hope our families will see the benefits of establishing an equitable distribution of resources across the district and ensuring that all our students receive what they need to thrive. SAISD is also working to meet the transportation needs of families that will be divided between two schools, should the SAISD Board of Trustees pass a rightsizing plan that calls for the merger of schools. The Board of Trustees will vote on Nov. 13.

Q: Why wasn't Twain in consideration for a merger of one of these campuses? They have the space and physical space resources.
A: Twain is merging with Gonzales Early Childhood Center. While Twain can accommodate more students, they would have to be part of the dual language program since the campus is a 100% dual language campus.

Q: What equity opportunities are being established by merging these campuses?
A: The merger will benefit families and students by increasing the resources available for students. We will be able to expand the dual language program so students from both schools will access it. Expanded special education services could be available for students at both campuses. We will be able to have fulltime instrumental music. We will be able to better meet the needs of elementary and middle school art questions, and even expand physical education.

Q: Where would these electives and other extra student opportunities be held? Isn't there a limitation of space on these campuses?
A: The proposed changes will utilize space better without the need to keep grade levels separated. The changes will also create more space at the highly enrolled grade levels.

Q: How will the ALE students be split? Will there be a K-2nd and then a 3rd-8th classroom at the other campus.
A: At this time, special education services will be provided on both campuses.

Q: How alike are the cultures and expectations of your examples of ALA, YWLA on both campuses. Are those examples different since the rightsizing profiles say they are a choice in school population?
A: SAISD has equally high expectations of all its campuses, and we are confident that the leadership model used at ALA and YWLA will make the merger of Beacon Hill and Cotton Academy a success.

Q: What will each campus gain "course wise, specialist wise, office staff wise) to mirror the ideal campus that was shared during the first round of rightsizing neighborhood meetings?
A: Rightsizing will lead to increased enrollment and additional resources.  How those resources are used will be decided by the school’s principal, staff, and Campus Advisory Council.  Rightsizing decisions will lead to early childhood services in every elementary school, fewer split grade levels or teaching assignments, more courses or full-time specialty teachers (art, music, AVID, etc),  increased  staff collaboration, additional student services (mental health, social work, academic intervention, etc), more robust dual language programs, greater access to extracurriculars, and increases to campus budgets for positions like library services, Family and Community Engagement Specialists, and instructional coaches.
With Cotton and Beacon Hill merging, more students and families will gain access to: 
• A more robust and sustainable dual language program from grades PK-08;
• On campus ALE special education instruction; and
• Continued access to ASL instruction.

Q: How do ya'll know that all this students are going to stay at Cotton for next school year?
A: We have enrollment transition specialists to work with our families.  We will honor your choice. 

Q: Is there any consideration for Beacon and Cotton to be led by two different principals?
A: Any decisions on school leadership haven’t been made, and we are developing a process for determining campus leadership. That process will be announced on Nov. 13 when the Board votes on the Rightsizing recommendation.
It is important to remember that we have leadership changes in our schools every year for various reasons – principals moving to other schools, retiring, or being promoted are just a few examples. This year, we had 18 principals across the district who were new in that role at their campus. Over the last few years, we have had similar numbers of new principals across our schools.

Q: Is there any consideration for Beacon and Cotton to be led by two different principals?
A: Any decisions on school leadership haven’t been made, and we are developing a process for determining campus leadership. That process will be announced on Nov. 13 when the Board votes on the Rightsizing recommendation.
It is important to remember that we have leadership changes in our schools every year for various reasons – principals moving to other schools, retiring, or being promoted are just a few examples. This year, we had 18 principals across the district who were new in that role at their campus. Over the last few years, we have had similar numbers of new principals across our schools.
In the 2024-2025 school year, we predict there will be similar movement. Schools that may merge through Rightsizing will go through a process (which is still being developed) to select a principal for that school. The school’s Campus Advisory Council, which includes teachers, families, and community members, will be asked to give recommendations on selecting their school’s leadership. There will be an emphasis on finding leaders who can help merge the identities, culture, families, and staff of the combining campuses.

Q: Why can't each campus keep two separate administration teams? For the safety of our kids, the needs of their teachers, the peace of mind for us parents.
A: Any decisions on school leadership haven’t been made, and we are developing a process for determining campus leadership. That process will be announced on Nov. 13 when the Board votes on the Rightsizing recommendation.
It is important to remember that we have leadership changes in our schools every year for various reasons – principals moving to other schools, retiring, or being promoted are just a few examples. This year, we had 18 principals across the district who were new in that role at their campus. Over the last few years, we have had similar numbers of new principals across our schools.
In the 2024-2025 school year, we predict there will be similar movement. Schools that may merge through Rightsizing will go through a process (which is still being developed) to select a principal for that school. The school’s Campus Advisory Council, which includes teachers, families, and community members, will be asked to give recommendations on selecting their school’s leadership. There will be an emphasis on finding leaders who can help merge the identities, culture, families, and staff of the combining campuses.

Q: Which network partnerships are currently functioning at a highly successful level? Most networks appear to struggle.
A: SAISD has at least two examples of highly successful network schools to use as models. The Advanced Learning Academy and Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Both operate with a single principal over a primary and secondary school and assistant or associate principals at the primary and secondary level. Both schools are also listed as among the best schools in Texas.

Q: How willing are you to lose students to Idea and Kipp?
A: SAISD values every student. It is because we value them that we must work to ensure that resources and programs are equitable across the district. 

Q: Have we thought about how we will lose families because their children are no longer at one campus which will cause parents to navigate pickup/drop off between both campuses?
Q: Why would family separate the kids if one school is already providing for them under one roof. How is this beneficial?
A: We hope parents will see benefits in resources and services available to their children brought by more equitable distribution. We are also working proactively on issues that might arise. While SAISD and its Board of Trustees are still in the process of studying the initial rightsizing recommendations and taking in feedback from the community, the SAISD Transportation Department is already working to solve transportations issues that may result from passage of a rightsizing plan. If the recommendations are approved Transition Teams will be at campuses and information sessions will be held to help families through this time and share information regarding transportation. A vote on a rightsizing planned for Nov. 13.

Q: How do ya'll know that all these students are going to stay at Cotton for next school year?
Q: How do ya'll know all the kids are gonna stay if you combine both schools? It will be useless just keep them the way they are.
A: SAISD is proud of the education, supportive resources, extracurricular activities, and community we offer students and their families. We hope that our families will see not just a continuation of these offerings, but an increase and improvement through rightsizing efforts and remain in the district.

Q: What about the mental health of whoever is named principal? This is a hard job to oversee two campuses, with two very different needs just due to the age differences and ranges at each.
A: Thank you for your concern for SAISD students and the campuses. The oversight of two campuses is a challenging job. This is why SAISD ensures that network principals are supported by assistant and/or associate principals as well as councilors and instructional coaches.

P: Los padres que tenemos mas de 3 ninos en diferentes grados, es dificil llevarlos a 2 escuelas diferentes. Podrian otorgar bus escodlar en una sola escuela? Que los lleve y los traega?
R: Si, el superintendente habló de un posible autobús para ir entre estas dos escuelas

Q: Parents who have more than three children in different grades at different campuses, can we have one school to drop them off at and take them to the other?
A: Currently, SAISD provides bus service to Choice Schools from hubs across the district. If your children are attending Choice Schools, you may be able to take all three to one hub location where they could board a bus/buses to their individual schools. We encourage to click on Transportation under Departments on the SAISD home page. Once you are on the Transportation page you can click on Transportation Schedule for Choice Schools under Quicklinks to find an explanation of the system and bus times.
The SAISD Transportation Department is also working on plans for campuses at which families may be split if the recommended plan is approved by the SAISD Board of Trustees on Nov. 13. We hope this information helps. If you more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Q: What is going to happen to the $35,981,807 bond that was taken out in 2020 for Collins Garden? Our community is paying taxes on it.  
A: Currently, the Bond dollars allocated to Collins Garden are still earmarked to the Collins Garden project. If the Board approves a Rightsizing recommendation that includes the closure of Collins Garden at the November board meeting, the funds would be reallocated to receiving campus projects based on facility needs. Bond funds can only be spent on building capital improvements. 

Q: Where is the $35,981,807 bond going towards?  
A: The $35,981,807 funds that are allocated to Collins Garden out of the 2020 Bond are designated for major renovations to the Collins Garden campus based on a conditions assessment. If the Board approves a Rightsizing recommendation that includes the closure of Collins Garden at the November board meeting, the budgeted funds would be reallocated to receiving campus projects based on facility need. Bond funds can only be spent on building capital improvements. 

Q: Why don't you use the bond money? Especially if the students are performing above average.
A: Bond funds can only be used to improve the facility/building site. Bond funds cannot be used on staff resources, salaries, or curriculum resources material. Education Code Ch 45. 

Q: If teachers start to leave to find other jobs, will our children be left with substitutes and end up suffering the remainder of the year without a teacher?    
A: In an effort to retain staff if the board votes to pass the Rightsizing package, we are offering Commitment bonuses to staff at closing schools ($3,000 for professional staff and $1,500 for paraprofessional and classified staff), which will be available to eligible transition employees in a lump-sum payment in August 2024, so long as the employee is still active with SAISD at that time.    
For transition employees with a delayed closure, a second commitment bonus will be paid out in a lump-sum payment in August after the campus closes, as long as the employee is still active with SAISD. Transition employees will not be permitted to transfer to other schools during the 2023-24 school year.  
Across the district, the number of vacancies fluctuates as new teachers are hired and current teachers leave. If substitutes are needed, SAISD has a team dedicated to finding substitutes that can cover classes. Many of SAISD's substitutes are retired teachers. 

Q: Why not close Hillcrest, which has less students, and send them to Collins Garden, which can hold those students?  
A: All initial recommendations, which will be voted on by the Board on Nov. 13, are based on the Rightsizing Framework, a decision-making tool to organize criteria that is used to identify schools to be co-located, consolidated, or closed, as well as schools suitable to receive students. We invite you to explore the framework here. Regarding Collins Garden, the school meets the primary criteria for facility use in the Rightsizing study. The current Collins Garden facility was built in the early 20th century and will be difficult to bring up to date, even with total demolition. The grounds are not well suited for expanding the facility into a 21st-century school.   

Q: Where's the equity audit at?  
A: The Rightsizing Equity Report is located here.

Q: Is this being recorded to be streamed later?  
A: All Rightsizing community meeting video recordings can be found here.  

Q: Where can we see this analysis of demographics?  
A: You can view the Enrollment Landscape Analysis Phase 1 Insights here and Enrollment Landscape Analysis Phase 2 Insights here.  

Q: What data was used to create the decision to close a school that is advancing academically? Who is the independent agency that did this study?  
A: Prior to the Board calling for a resolution to begin a rightsizing study, the board heard two reports analyzing the demographic trends occurring in our school district. This landscape analysis was done by Brian Eschbacher and prepared by Civic Solutions, SGS Executive Advisors.    
After the board resolution, a set of values, and primary and contextual criteria were drafted. All initial recommendations are based on these criteria that the community helped us develop during our initial 14 public meetings from Aug. 17 through Sept. 12. The values and primary and contextual criteria were used to identify schools to be co-located, consolidated, or closed, as well as to identify schools suitable to receive students. We invite you to explore the criteria here; note that the content in red font is the addition to the criteria as a result of community input.  
The initial recommendation was presented to the Board on Sept. 28, and the final recommendation will be voted on by the Board on Nov. 13.

Q: What about families that aren't text savvy or English speaking or nonconformable talking on mics?  
A: Live interpretation was provided at each of our 18 Preliminary Rightsizing Framework Meetings and is still being provided at the 22 Initial Rightsizing Recommendations meetings happening now through Nov. 2. Our Rightsizing website is available in both English and Spanish and can be translated into a variety of other languages using an in-browser translation option.    
If a participant is uncomfortable talking on a microphone at one of our meetings, they can scan a QR code to leave feedback or submit a question via pen and paper. Additionally, individuals are welcome to submit questions and comments through the Rightsizing website, the Empower Family Hotline at (210)244-0845, or empowerfamilies@saisd.net.  

Q: Where does my kid's safety come in when we are right by an academy?  
A: SAISD's unwavering priority is to keep everyone in our care safe from harm – every child and every staff member. All of our students are like our own children, and we will do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe from harm. We have a Campus Safety Committee tailored for each school and also a district-wide Safety and Security Committee to help guide our safety measures. Each campus will practice at least one lockdown drill each school year, appropriate to students' ages.
All SAISD school's exterior doors and gates are secured at all times, and visitors must be buzzed in within full view of front office staff before entry. Visitors enter through a secure area and are electronically checked in to ensure that only the most relevant people are on our campuses. Additionally, our front office staff have access to a push-button emergency notification system that immediately notifies our police department if assistance is needed. Additionally, video cameras are placed around our campuses so that any unusual activity can be detected and recorded.
Our entire district and police department help foster a safe and secure learning and working environment. We have a strong relationship with all local law enforcement and first responder agencies so that our efforts are coordinated to better serve the community and schools in the event of a threat.

Q: Can you guarantee teachers and staff will get another role at these other schools that match their credentials?
A: Human Capital Management (HCM) will make every reasonable effort to provide a similar job/position to impacted staff. Transition employees' assignments will be prioritized with an aim to provide an equivalent grade level, content, and/or role within the employee's current cluster/feeder pattern through a final assignment is subject to student enrollment. If a final assignment is not pay-comparable to the transition employee's previous assignment, SAISD will provide pay protection. 

Q: Will there be committees formed for each cluster losing/receiving campuses?  
A: Yes. Additionally, each impacted campus is assigned a multidisciplinary School Empowerment Team (SET) to work collaboratively to address the needs of employees and families throughout the rightsizing process. Members of the SET include Transition Team members and subject matter experts from the Transition team or Central Office, including representation from Human Capital Management, Access & Enrollment, Social Worker/Counselor, Family & Community Engagement, and Academics. A Principal Coach, Executive Team Sponsor, and Process Checker will also be included on each team. In addition, each school has a Campus Advisory Council, which includes teachers, families, and community members, who will be asked to give recommendations on a number of items related to their campuses.    

Q: We hear that district enrollment is really 35,000 not 45,000. How do we know what the true enrollment is as of the end of September 2023?  
A: Enrollment is slightly down this school year but still hovers around 45,000 students. According to Texas state rules, the district will have an accurate count sometime in October. We are currently estimating that the enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year may be down by less than 1,000 students from last year's enrollment of approximately 45,200.   

Q: Where does the breakdown come from for the cost per pupil?  
A: Cost per pupil is the sum of all TEA-reported costs for school academics and operations expenditures.  

Q: Why send students who are in a thriving school to schools that are failing?  
A: Academic performance ratings based on how well students perform on standardized tests often do not provide good evidence of the learning that is happening on a campus. Questions even exist among education professionals regarding the validity of standardized tests and what they can and cannot show about a campus. An example of this is this year’s decision by the Texas Education Agency to delay the release of school ratings to re-evaluate the data and what it shows. Additionally, state ratings only tell one part of a school’s story and don’t factor in aspects like school culture, atmosphere, teacher satisfaction, community involvement, etc.  
The changes proposed by SAISD will create better learning environments for all its students by increasing resources, academic programs, staffing and extracurricular activities. All of this will lead to higher academic success for all students. 

Q: How are families going to get across the train tracks to their new campuses?  
Q: So if you move students from Collins Garden, have you thought about the traffic that the families will be going through to get our kids to school?
Q: What will happen when the city begins construction on the tracks?
A: Transportation will be provided to students who reside two or more miles from the student's newly assigned campus or if the students must cross a hazard, such as a highway or a railroad crossing. In addition, transportation will be provided through the choice hub system for students who have been accepted to an SAISD Choice School. Transportation will not be guaranteed for students who choose a different SAISD neighborhood school other than the newly assigned campus.   

Q: With Douglass having so much history, what will happen to the building if it were to close?
Q: Isn't it going to cost money to keep the building open?
A: We have some high-level ideas of how we will use buildings and spaces to benefit our communities, so that these facilities continue to contribute to a thriving community. However, we also believe that communities should have a say in what happens to a school site if the Board recommends a closure or consolidation. We will deeply engage the community to learn their vision for the best future use of a school property.
Some potential uses can include:
•Working with developers to create low-cost housing for our staff, so they can live and work in our communities.
•Work with nonprofits to use buildings for fine arts centers or to provide mental health services to our families, resources that need to grow in our San Antonio community.
•Turn the area into a beautiful green space for community use, allowing nature to add peace and beauty to our neighborhoods.
However, because we do not have a list of rightsizing recommendations yet, and we won’t until the September board meeting, it is premature at this time to present plans for specific schools. That process will happen after the Board reviews our rightsizing recommendations in November.

Q: The facility use level on the framework says <75% but the rightsizing school profile pages show the threshold on the graph as 80%. Which one is the correct criteria?
A: The facility use threshold in the framework is 75 percent. The school profile found on the SAISD rightsizing website shows that Douglass’s currently uses only 41 percent of its facility. Douglass meets all three primary criteria. It is under-enrolled, and enrollment has been declining. In addition, it is an underused, very small facility and has among the highest elementary costs per pupil in the district.

Q: 158 students at Douglass plus the 280 students already at Herff passes the enrollment threshold of 350 at Herff. Where are the remaining students going to go? Some students will be left out.
A: While the framework threshold for enrollment is set at 350, that does not mean there is an enrollment cap of 350. Herff is a large enough facility and has the room to accommodate all students from Douglass. Douglass and Herff are likely partners for a school consolidation. Herff is a larger facility on a larger plot of land. Additionally, Herff can accommodate additional parking and traffic circulation by removing existing, unused portable classroom buildings.

Q: What if we use the Herff facility to merge the schools under the Douglass name? Has that been considered?
Q: Why with Douglass being bigger are they moving to Herff when it's much smaller?
Q: Why don't you move Herff to Douglass? It's smaller at Herff.
Q: Why not bring Herff to Douglass?
Q: Why not create a school like Kelly and Lowell? Best of both worlds
A: Thank you for your suggestions. Please know that we are considering all suggestions and feedback and there could still be changes to the initial recommendations. A vote on a rightsizing plan is not scheduled util the Nov. 13 meeting of the SAISD Board of Trustees.
As part of the development of the initial rightsizing recommendations, the district carried out a Study of Building Capacity. That study found that Douglass meets all three primary criteria for closure. It is under-enrolled, and enrollment has been declining.  In addition, it is an underused, very small facility and has among the highest elementary costs per pupil in the district.  Given their close proximity, and low and declining enrollment, Douglass and Herff are likely partners for a school consolidation. Herff is a larger facility on a larger plot of land. Additionally, Herff can accommodate additional parking and traffic circulation by removing existing, unused portable classroom buildings.

Q: What's gonna happen to the teachers? Do they get to keep their jobs?
Q: What happens to the teachers? What happens to our principal?
Q: What is the plan to do with the teachers from Douglass?
Q: When will teachers and staff know their assignments for 24/25?
A: If rightsizing is approved by the board, we will stand by our staff and families throughout this process. Throughout the spring and summer, all families and staff will be fully supported with their enrollment and career options in the district. SAISD expects to keep most, and preferably all, staff.
While a vote on initial rightsizing recommendations will not happen until Nov. 13 and recommendations could change, SAISD has proactively developed plans to support employees as well as families. These plans are known as Empower Plan – Student & Family Support and Empower Plan – Employee Support. These plans can be found by going to www.saisd.net/rightsizing. Highlights of the employee support plan include an outline of the transition process and a timeline.

Q: More students for teachers, more responsibilities. Will the pay of teachers also be rightsized?
Q: Are teachers being paid more and are they increasing security with more than 300 kids coming to Herff?
A: At the beginning of the rightsizing process, SAISD carried out the Study of School Building Capacity. This study showed that if the initial recommendations are approved and followed the average class size for the district would be 22 students. This would not be an increase for teachers.

Q: As a parent of a student with unique needs, and knowing there are other students here with those needs as well - what is the plan for transitioning them? They need to feel secure.
Q: How will families and staff be supported if closing were to happen?
A: While the plan presented to the SAISD Board of Trustees is still being studied and feedback is still being taken and considered, the district has proactively developed a plan of support for all students and families. It is called Empower Plan – Student & Family Support and can be found at www.saisd.net/rightsizing. Highlights of the plan call for the dispatch of Empower Teams to campuses. This teams will be available to families and Employees for help with transitions, tours and scheduled events with transition campuses, and counseling. We encourage all to visit the website for more information.

Q: What happens when there are too many children in a classroom?
Q: What happens when you combine schools and there are too many kids in a classroom, then what?
A: At the beginning of the rightsizing process, SAISD carried out the Study of School Building Capacity. This study showed that if the initial recommendations are approved, and followed, the average class size for the district would be 22 students. This would not be an increase for teachers.

Q: Has the district read the research on the impact of school closures and consider those factors in moving forward?
A: Thank you for concern. We are also concerned about how possible school closures could impact our students. Their learning and growth is always our primary concern. We must weigh these concerns against the concerns of inequitable distribution of resources and services. SAISD is working to lessen any possible negative impact of rightsizing and ensure that all campuses and students have what they need to thrive.

Q: Will SAISD commit to a student/teacher ratio and share that publicly?
A: SAISD conducted a Study of School Building Capacity which showed that if the initial, rightsizing recommendations are adopted by the SAISD Board of Trustees, the district will have an average class size of 22 students. This would not be an increase. Average class size public information.

Q: What would security look like? Will there be an officer on campus?
A: We have school safety protocols at each of our campuses, and this includes either the presence of officers in or around the buildings or on patrol in the neighborhood. Our goal is to ensure campus safety at all times and to retain a calm and productive learning environment for all students.

Q: Can you repeat the goal of rightsizing (is it to save money, etc.) and what are the other options the district explored before landing in rightsizing?
A: The goal of rightsizing is to ensure that all of our campuses and staff have what they need to thrive, to ensure that distribution of funds, resources and services are equitably distributed across the district. Our enrollment and school-aged population have been declining for more than two decades, and according to demographers, the student-aged population will continue to decline for at least five or 10 more years. In the past, we have resisted closing schools as our enrollment declined. As a result, our schools have gotten emptier. We invested in innovation, and it worked, but we have not recovered enough students to reverse the trend. At this time, our resources are spread too thin, creating inequities experienced by our students and their families. In large urban districts across the nation, school district leaders are facing the same challenge of the need to downsize.

Q: Why is it going to take so long to build school? 5 years...will 3rd-8th grade students be in portables for those 5 years? 
A: If phased construction is required to accommodate an active campus, we anticipate that the MLK project duration would be a total of 4 years. Each phase would last between 12 – 16 months. Student in different grade groups would be transitioned in an out of portables as phases are completed.  In planning a phased project such as this, we target winter break and summer as the best time to move students, so that they stay in the same location during the semester.   

Q: If you shut down multiple schools and send the children to MLK, wouldn't the school be over populated?
A: At the beginning of the rightsizing process, SAISD carried out the Study of School Building Capacity. This study showed that if the initial recommendations are approved and followed, the average class size for the district would be 22 students. This would not be an increase from our current student-to-teacher ratio. Aditionally, Currently, 223 students attend MLK, which has the capacity for 500 students. After the renovations that are proposed in the initial recommendation, the school's capacity would rise 950. 

Q: How can the district be concerned with an overbudget but has funds to spend on "state of the art" portables?
A: Funds used for Bond project cannot be used for general operating expenses. The funds can only be used for capital improvements to facilities. The portables planned for swing space at MLK (if needed) are modular units that connect as a single enclosed building and provide more security and energy efficiency. The cost of these portables is about the same as a traditional portable.

Q: What if live in the Dorrie community and my granddaughter was attending Dorrie but I would like her to go to Smith will she be able to do that?
A: Yes, your granddaughter will be able to attend Smith Elementary School.
Empower Family Hotline: (210)244-0845  
Email: empowerfamilies@saisd.net  
SAISD Enrollment Office: (210)554-2660 

Q: Where will students under special education be relocated?
A: One of the goals of this Rightsizing initiative is to ensure that all students, including those who receive special education services, get the services they need no matter what school they attend. If the Rightsizing package is approved on Nov. 13, equatable special education resources will be offered at all SAISD schools. 

Q: If the goal is to put resources back into the community, then why not close the Choice Schools and put those programs and kids back into their neighborhood schools?
A: The initial Rightsizing recommendation took three criteria into consideration. If a Choice School met at least one of the criteria, they were considered for Rightsizing. 
Regarding Choice Schools - we believe that all children should have access to a variety of school options regardless of their academic abilities or where they live. We know that all kids are unique individuals, and they engage with learning in different ways, aspire to different careers, and are interested in different subjects. Many of our students live in the neighborhood where a Choice School is located and choose to attend that Choice School. Because of the in-district Charter School designation, these schools are eligible for extra resources through Senate Bill 1882. If these partnerships end, the extra resources provided through Senate Bill 1882 would also end. If the Rightsizing proposal is passed by the Board in Nov., it will enable SAISD to provide more resources to all students, distributed equally across all campuses. 

Q: One of the primary reasons for shutting down schools was expensive urban living. Will the new MLK build affect property tax in the community?
A: The voter’s approval of San Antonio ISD’s Bond in 2020 covered the entire scope of planned major projects along with HVAC, safety, and security upgrades for district schools. The district’s Interest & Sinking fund tax rate is what supports our building program. Due to the rise of property values within our boundaries, the district was able to lower the tax rate by 3 pennies this year while still maintaining the obligations for the bonds sold for the construction projects. At this time, we anticipate that this portion of our tax rate will remain under the 45 cents that was projected at the start of the building program.  

Q: Do school districts receive any extra funding tied to increase in property taxes?
A: The school district does not receive additional funding as a result of an increase in property taxes. The reason is that the state of Texas determines the amount of funding that a school district should receive based on the “Foundation School Program” (FSP) methodology which provides base funding per student and additional weighted funding per student being served in special programs or with specific needs. Once this funding amount is determined for a school district, then the district’s tax collections are counted toward the amount needed and the state will then provide any additional funding not covered by tax collections. Because of this, a school district’s funding does not increase when property tax values increase.  A school district’s funding only increases if the State’s basic allotment or other components of the FSP methodology are changed.

Q: These kids are already behind due to Covid/remote learning, now they will move to a school that might not be completed during their attendance. Why was this so poorly planned?
A: The ultimate goal of rightsizing is to deliver on our promise of a high-quality education for every child. By consolidating the number of schools to better match current student enrollment, the school your child attends will be more equitably and robustly resourced. Even if the school is under bond renovations for state-of-the-art facilities, the transition now will still benefit your child.  
Some of the advantages could include: consistent class sizes and campuses having greater access to the full continuum of special education services, full-time fine arts teachers, and expanded athletics, among other essential services such enhanced social emotional learning and mental health support. Your child’s teachers will have access to peer educators for the same grade level and/or subject, allowing them to collaborate on curriculum and feel more supported – further enhancing your child’s education and the teacher’s experience. Students also may experience a broader range of student peer interactions, and now with more educator and staff support, receive more enrichment or intervention services based on their individual needs. All of these advantages could lead to more thriving students and staff, and therefore, more thriving schools.

Q: Is band in the foreseen future?
A: There is currently no plan to add band at Steele.

Q: Although we will have a working kitchen, will Montessori beliefs be respected with the idea that only upper elementary and middle school will eat in the cafeteria?
A: This will be determined by the campus principal and the 1882 Partner. 

Q: We were told our students would remain the same classroom for 3 years in the Montessori model.  Will my student be able to maintain this continuity through the transition?
A:  Students should be able to maintain continuity during the transition. The teacher may change, but the group of students should be able to move together as a community.

Q: Will the transfer school still be considered a Choice School as it was in the previous school?
A: Yes. 

Q: Will Steele Riverside now try to be completely filled with students or will this happen slowly as teachers get Montessori certified?
Q: If more classes is the expectation, then where are we getting the Montessori Certified Guides for those classes? 
A: The campus will meet with they 1882 partner to discuss expansion efforts. All Montessori teachers will have the proper training for certification purposes.

Q: With Steele being an in demand school, will money will be allocated to give teachers/families a true Montessori experience and have teacher's assistants in upper elementary and middle school classes?
Q: Will the new teachers hired be Montessori trained?
A: All Montessori teachers will have the proper training for certification purposes. 

Q: Will there be outdoor space for the chicken coop and classroom gardens?
A: There is outdoor space for a chicken coop and gardens.

Q: I work at The DoSeum and I would be interested to know if there are partnership opportunities for the old Steele building.
A: We have some high-level ideas of how we will use buildings and spaces to benefit our communities, so that these facilities continue to contribute to a thriving community. We don’t intend to sell any of our buildings. However, we also believe that communities should have a say in what happens to a school site if the Board recommends a closure or consolidation.
We will deeply engage the community to learn their vision for the best future use of a school property. Some potential uses can include:

• Working with developers to create low-cost housing for our staff, so they can live and work in our communities.
• Work with nonprofits to use buildings for fine arts centers or to provide mental health services to our families, resources that need to grow in our San Antonio community.
• Turn the area into a beautiful green space for community use, allowing nature to add peace and beauty to our neighborhoods.

However, because we do not have a list of rightsizing recommendations yet, and we won’t until the September board meeting, it is premature at this time to present plans for specific schools. That process will happen after the Board reviews our rightsizing recommendations in November. 

Q: Will the school name remain Steele Montessori?
A: At this time, the name will remain Steele Montessori Academy.

Q: The building we were in was undergoing renovations, is the move permanent, temporary?  My concern is the building we are moving to is over 100 years old.  What renovations if any. are being made? Safety 1st
A: The current Steel building was only walled off to prevent entry into the portion of the building that is experiencing structural issues, the only other improvements at the current Steele campus was the installation of portables to provide space for the additional grade level that was added this year. The portables can be relocated to other campuses that need them.

Q: Are the new schools classroom sizes large enough for Montessori purposes or will they require construction like Rodriguez did?
Q: Steele question: Will Riverside provide the adequate resources for a proper Montessori education? (Sinks, large windows, in class restrooms, etc)
A: If the rightsizing recommendation to move Steele is passed by the board on Nov. 13, the campus that it is relocated to will be evaluated for the Montessori program needs and modifications will be considered. 

Q: Steele was supposed to be remodeled. What happens to those funds now?
A: Those funds allocated to Steele will be considered for reallocation should the rightsizing recommendation be approved on Nov. 13.

Q: When would the school be completed (renovations) at the new campus? (Riverside)
A: We would need to engage a new design team to review the programming needed to scope the project appropriate. Once we have a scope a contractor would be brought on board to provide construction timelines.

Q: Why Riverside Park? The school itself that is older than Steele, why not relocate to a "newer" school?
A: Riverside Park was chosen for its proximity, but other suggestions are being evaluated. Riverside Park is not experiencing the structural issues that Steele is experiencing.

Q: According to the plan the funds allocated to Steele would now be allocated to Riverside Park. Is the current Riverside Park facility able to accommodate the current Steele classrooms and student?
A: The Riverside Park campus will accommodate Steele current classrooms and students with room to grow.

Q: If we are already students at Steele, will we be able to maintain our place or will we have to go through the lottery again?
A: Current Steele students will remain Steele students and do not have to re-apply or go through lottery.

Q: Will more seats be opened up?  If so, will more allocations be given to the campus?
A: Yes, additional seats will be offered. Allocations will be determined based on student enrollment for 2024-25 and would include additional students added through the Choice process.

Q: Will Steele/new school still go to 8th grade?
A: Yes, the plan remains to add 8th grade for 24-25. Moving to a larger campus will facilitate this increase in population.

Q: Is the waitlist primarily primary students?
A: Yes, the majority of applications currently on the 2023-24 waitlist are for Pre-K, kinder, and 1st grade. Student on 2023-24 waitlists will not be considered for 2024-25 seats; interested families will need to submit an application for 2024-25 once the window opens on Dec. 1, 2023.

Q: When Riverside is given waitlist priority, will the 50/50 economic balance be maintained?
A: The District is reviewing the current lottery setup to determine if/which changes will be made starting with 2024-25 applications. This topic is one of the considerations being reviewed.

Q: Will the transfer school still be considered a Choice School as it was in the previous school year?
A: Steele Montessori Academy will still be a Choice School for 2024-25. The only difference will be its physical building and address. Eighth grade will still be added so that the school will serve the full Pre-K through 8th grade range.  
If you decide to attend the newly assigned home campus, a transfer and choice school application is not required. You are guaranteed a seat at Japhet and Hillcrest. 

Q: How are we planning to "accommodate the waitlist" without increasing class sizes or adding too many classes that will make scheduling not possible?
A: Increasing student enrollment would happen in two ways: 1) expanding the number of classrooms in a given grade level(s), and 2) adding 8th grade. Students currently on 2023-24 waitlists will not be considered for 2024-25 seats; interested families will need to submit an application for 2024-25 once the window opens on Dec. 1, 2023. Placement will be made from the pool of students who submit application for the 2024-25 school year.

Q: When would sports be available? Our students are coming into middle school grade levels and we want them to have that opportunity.
A: Steele currently offers the extracurricular opportunities listed on their Choice profile page here.

Q: Since moving to a bigger school will there be security presence and or an SAISD Police Officer monitoring the campus?
Q: What security measures will be taken place for the surrounding neighborhood in Riverside, personally I don't feel comfortable with Riverside?
A: SAISD PD will continue to provide police presence to this campus from our patrol division and cluster officers. Our officers will go into the campus daily to check in with staff and students while providing police presence at the campus. 
We have a Campus Safety Committee tailored for each school and also a district-wide Safety and Security Committee to help guide our safety measures. Each campus will practice at least one lockdown drill each school year, appropriate to students' ages.
All SAISD school's exterior doors and gates are secured at all times, and visitors must be buzzed in within full view of front office staff before entry. Visitors enter through a secure area and are electronically checked in to ensure that only the most relevant people are on our campuses.
Additionally, our front office staff have access to a push-button emergency notification system that immediately notifies our police department if assistance is needed. Video cameras are placed around our campuses so that any unusual activity can be detected and recorded.
Our entire district and police department help foster a safe and secure learning and working environment. We have a strong relationship with all local law enforcement and first responder agencies so that our efforts are coordinated to better serve the community and schools in the event of a threat.

Q: Will the transfer school still provide transportation for special needs education students at the new facility?
A: For Students receiving special education services or Section 504 services, transportation will continue to be provided if the student’s ARD/504 Committee has previously determined that it is required as a related service. *Transportation will also be provided for students who qualify for McKinney-Vento to and from their school of origin.

Q: I ask that you guys consider expanding transportation services, and possibly transportation times, to help students who sometimes have to walk to school or home. Some will have a farther walk now.
A: While SAISD and its Board of Trustees are still in the process of studying the initial rightsizing recommendations, we are working proactively on issues that might arise if a plan is approved. Two areas we are looking at are start and stop times and transportation at campuses where families may be divided. The SAISD Board of Trustees will vote on a rightsizing plan on Nov. 13. If a plan is approved Transition Teams will be on campuses and information sessions will be held to help families through this time and share information regarding start and stop times and transportation. 
Transportation is/will be provided to students who reside two or more miles from the student's newly assigned campus or if the students must cross a hazard, such as a highway or a railroad crossing. In addition, transportation will be provided through the choice hub system for students who have been accepted to an SAISD Choice School. Transportation will not be guaranteed for students who choose a different SAISD neighborhood school other than the newly assigned campus.   

Q: Lamar does not serve all children. For families with special needs kids, we have to go to another campus with alternative learning classrooms.

A: This is true. Because of small sizes, the district is not currently able to provide the full continuum of special education services at every campus. One of the goals of rightsizing is to expand the continuum of services available to all students at the same campus that their siblings and neighbors attend.

 

Q: What will change other than location of students in order to make special education allocations equitable?

A: Larger numbers of students with IEPs will result in greater allocations of teachers and instructional assistants. This will afford the campus greater flexibility in scheduling and serving students.

 

Q: Why are you talking about equity when this affects families with the most special needs accommodations?

A: Districtwide, 16% of students have disabilities requiring an IEP. Lamar currently provides speech, inclusion, and resource support. Students needing the greatest amount of support through ALE or BSC are currently sent to other campuses. One of the goals of rightsizing is to increase the special education continuum so that all students can attend school with their siblings and neighbors.

 

Q: Will the Amplify language arts and Eureka math curriculum continue at Hawthorne? The curriculum is needs to be continued across grades to they effective.
A: SAISD has made a commitment to enable students to continue in their chosen, accepted format such as International Baccalaureate, Dual Language, and early college. However, Amplify Language Arts and Eureka Math were not intended to be the permanent curriculum for those schools. They were being used as a test of their effectiveness. The district will use student performance data to determine whether Amplify Language Arts and Eureka Math will continue to be used in any of our schools. The decision whether to continue with these curricula will be based on student success, and not rightsizing.

Q: You want the school to have an enrollment of 350 students? That is the capacity of the school! You want huge class sizes?
A: Data from the Study of School Building Capacity shows that, with the closures and mergers called for in the initial recommendation, average class size throughout the district would be about 22 students. This would not be an increase.

Q: Why are you talking about equity when this affects families with the most special needs accommodations?
A: Districtwide, 16% of students have disabilities requiring an IEP. Lamar currently provides speech, inclusion, and resource supports. Students needing the greatest amount of support through ALE or BSC are currently sent to other campuses. One of the goals of rightsizing is to increase the special education continuum so that all students can attend school with their siblings and neighbors.

Q: Will class sizes at Hawthorne be guaranteed to be with limits (22 or fewer students per classroom up to 5th grade)?
A: Data from the Study of School Building Capacity shows that, with the closures and mergers called for in the initial recommendation, average class size throughout the district would be about 22 students. This would not be an increase.

Q: Riverside Park is losing their programming as they fold int their school, how to we guarantee that doesn't happen to us?
A: The district is committed to ensuring that students in choice programs will be able to continue in those programs/formats of learning. Riverside Park Elementary is not a choice school.

Q: We love our school community. Bilingual education is the reason our family has attended this school for generations. We do not want to lose our home.
A: Thank you for advocating for bilingual education. Lamar families will be able to continue to participate in dual language programming at multiple campuses in SAISD.

Q: The district has a lack of academic coherence. Lamar is a school that teaches aligned to the Science of Reading. Can you guarantee this is the same at Hawthorne?
A: The selection of curriculum is one of several crucial elements of learning. We work with several stakeholders to determine selected curriculum, to include the District Advisory Council, Mathematics Advisory Council, and Literacy Advisory Council. If the recommendation presented to the Board of Trustees on Sept. 18 is approved, we will continue the same process of working with stakeholders to seek input on the best curriculum for our programs. If you are interested in participating in the selection process, you can apply to be a member of the District Advisory Council. Information can be found at www.saisd.net.

Q: As a GT student, I think the support of GT should be given to students who are falling behind, not students who can pass the unscientific IQ test. Can this be reworked for more equitable funding?
A: Your concern for others is wonderfully selfless and commendable. However, the designation of a student as GT is based on multiple factors, not solely on test scores and comes with its own set of learning challenges that need to be addressed. But please know, one of the goals of rightsizing is to increase the special education continuum and provide a more equitable distribution of resources and services.

Q: Lamar and Ogden are schools using Amplify language arts for both English speaking and dual language classes. Will the gaining schools switch to this? You said you would continue all programs?
A: SAISD has made a commitment to enable students to continue in their chosen, accepted format such as International Baccalaureate, Dual Language, and early college. However, Amplify Language Arts and Eureka Math were not intended to be the permanent curriculum for those schools. They were being used as a test of their effectiveness. The district will use student performance data to determine whether Amplify Language Arts and Eureka Math will continue to be used in any of our schools. The decision whether to continue with these curricula will be based on student success, and not rightsizing.

Q: Lamar is because of the school culture. The culture of a school eats everything else for lunch. How will you THOUGHTFULLY consider the culture of Lamar as you move forward with this proposal?
A: SAISD has developed the Empower Plan – Students and Families to minimize student and family disruption and support campus culture. This plan outlines the supports that will be put into action if SAISD Board of Trustees votes to approve a rightsizing plan. Highlights of the plan include moving administrators, faculty, and staff with students to the maximum extent possible, communicating with families clearly, transparently and in a timely manner, and empowering families through voice and choice. To learn more about the plan go to www.saisd.net/rightsizing. 

Q: Is it legal to redistribute Bond funds without taxpayers’ approval on a special ballot?
A: The District voters approved a general bond proposition for the construction, renovation and equipping of school buildings. Specific campuses were not included in the bond proposition. A proposed program was communicated, but If circumstances materially change, the overall Bond program will be analyzed for changes that ensure efficient investment of Bond funds. Any recommendations to reallocate Bond funds will be presented to the SAISD Citizens Advisory Committee, and ultimately SAISD Board of Trustees for consideration and approval.

Q: Has a final Bond design of the Lamar campus extension already been created in the past?
A: The final design for Lamar is not complete. Currently, the design for Lamar is 60% complete.

Q: Are there plans to spend Bond money at Hawthorne, and how will that work since it is already on a very small parcel of land? Lamar is also on a small parcel. Why is Lamar different than Hawthorne?
A: If the Board approves a Rightsizing recommendation that includes the closure of Lamar at the November board meeting, we will review Hawthorne facility conditions to see if any educational program space or building infrastructure improvements are needed.

• Lamar is on 3.47 acres of land and lacks program spaces such as a theater, appropriately sized kitchen and dining room, special education program spaces, and
• Hawthorn is situated on 6.197 acres of land, and the facility was renovated in the Bond 2010 Program and already has many of the program spaces that are scoped for the Lamar project.

Q: If you close Lamar, will Lamar’s Bond money go to Hawthorne?
A: If the Board approves a Rightsizing recommendation that includes the closure of Lamar at the November board meeting, we will review Hawthorne facility conditions to see if any educational program space or building infrastructure improvements are needed.

Q: It appears you want to close Lamar to give Bond money to Hawthorne. Is that correct?
A: SAISD District Leadership’s recommendation to close Lamar was based on an effort to equitably distribute state funded resources across the district. Hawthorne was renovated in a previous Bond program.

Q: If Lamar has been “failing” in attendance numbers, why was it part of the 2020 Bond?A: Campus/Project recommendations for the Bond 2020 program were initially based on building age and condition. Attendance was not a factor the original bond program development.

Q: How will Bond money follow students who leave the district?
A: Bond money will stay within SAISD for SAISD campuses improvements. Bond dollars will not follow students that leave SAISD.

Q: Since Bond 2020 was passed by a public vote, how is it allowable to reallocation without the public’s approval?
A: The District voters approved a general bond proposition for the construction, renovation and equipping of school buildings.  Specific campuses were not included in the bond proposition. A proposed program list was communicated to the community,  but If circumstances materially change, the overall Bond program will be analyzed for changes that ensure efficient investment of Bond funds. Any recommendations to reallocate funds will be presented to the SAISD Citizens Advisory Committee, and ultimately SAISD Board of Trustees for consideration and approval.

Q: We're out of district school choice. Why were we not told that this would be a possibility when we applied?
A: The initial rightsizing recommendations were presented to the Board of Trustees on September 18 at the completion of the Study of School Building Capacity. Prior to the completion of that study, SAISD could not have made any determinations regarding whether closures or mergers would be needed, or which campuses would be impacted. SAISD has committed to the continuation of choice programs for families/students that have chosen those paths. The district is also committed to priority placements for students/families impacted by closures or mergers.

Q: Why doesn't the student enrollment option 2 "parent applies" give the displaced students any priority on a new school? It's the same process for anyone looking at a choice school-no priority given.
A: The plan presented to the SAISD Board of Trustees on Sept. 18 is the initial recommendation. Changes could still be made to the plan based on new information or community feedback. The Board of Trustees will not vote on whether to adopt a plan until Nov. 13. Thus, no changes can yet be made to the school application process. However, SAISD is committed giving students in choice programs priority in the application process if they are impacted by possible closures or mergers.

Q: Does Hawthorne have bathrooms suitable for preschoolers in the classroom? Is there a playground ready for kids under 5?
A: Hawthorne received major improvements under Bond 2010 and is designed for a PK-08 configuration. Any additional improvements to the Hawthorne facility can be handled from funds allocated for Lamar under Bond 2020.

Q: I really don't understand why you would not sell properties. Can anyone explain that? Why sit on real estate when it could fund the issues you are describing.
A: Retaining ownership of any properties offers SAISD options for future use and allows the district to work with stakeholders to determine how facilities could best benefit the community.

Q: Why do we use the large school buses when it would be safer for smaller groups?
A: The District utilizes both medium and large school buses to transport students. Smaller groups would likely be transported on medium sized buses if that bus driver does not have a trip either before or after that group which may require a larger sized bus. 

Q: What are the district’s plans for transportation if Lamar's population moves to Hawthorne?
A: The SAISD Transportation Department is currently working proactively on solutions to transportation issues that might arise if a rightsizing plan is adopted. SAISD is committed to developing solutions that will make transitions as convenient as possible for families. If a rightsizing plan is adopted and your campus is affected, a transition team will be available at your school to answer questions regarding transportation and application/enrollment.

Q: Why is the district branding this as a positive thing? THE REASON THIS IS HAPPENING IS BECAUSE THE STATE DOES NOT ADEQUATELY FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT THAT?
A: As educators there is not one member of SAISD staff, administration or faculty that is happy about the possibility of closing any school. What we can do is ensure that the needs of our students are met – that resources and services are equitably distributed across the district in order for them to thrive while maintaining the district’s financial health. It is illegal for public school to spend public funds for political purposes. It is also illegal for public employees such as those who work for public schools to engage in political lobbying during work hours.

Q: How can you say that due diligence was done if the study was done in a few short months?
A: SAISD had conducted a Study of School Building Capacity, both internal and external Equity Studies, held 18 public meetings regarding the Study of School Building Capacity, and will have held 23 public meetings regarding the initial rightsizing recommendations prior to a scheduled vote on Nov. 13.

Q: Help us understand how you'll realistically improve/change your recommendations given the extremely tight timeframe you put in place for meeting with the community to "listen" to feedback.
A: The initial rightsizing recommendations were presented to the SAISD Board of Trustees on September 18. Since then, the district has been taking, reviewing, and answering feedback, comments, and questions from multiple sources. These sources include neighborhood meetings, email, submissions through the rightsizing website, social media, and letters. We continue to encourage all to submit feedback. The rightsizing website can be found at www.saisd.net/rightsizing. 

Q: Do you really think an hour is enough to listen to community feedback thoughtfully, so you can manage this change you're attempting to make?
A: The initial rightsizing recommendations were presented to the SAISD Board of Trustees on September 18. Since then, the district has been taking, reviewing, and answering feedback, comments, and questions from multiple sources. These sources include neighborhood meetings, email, submissions through the rightsizing website, social media, and letters. We continue to encourage all to submit feedback. The rightsizing website can be found at www.saisd.net/rightsizing. 

Q: How is funding available for hiring multiple retired principals for the Empower Team? Are we in a budget crisis? How was there $ for new high-level positions like the one in HCM?
A: While SAISD does predict future budget deficits without rightsizing, its primary concern is the equitable distribution of services and resources so that all SAISD students, and campuses may thrive. Rightsizing team members were hired using one-time funds to positions that are temporary and devoted to helping facilitate possible transitions of students, families, faculty, administrators, and staff. SAISD did not create a new position in Human Capital Management. It filled a position left vacant when a team member accepted a position outside the district.

Q: Why does SAISD need a real estate portfolio?
A: Retaining ownership of any properties offers SAISD options for future use, including the possibility of the student-age population increasing in decades to come. It also allows the district to work with stakeholders now, so that buildings do not remain vacant for long, and to ensure the repurpose of the facilities continue to meet the needs of the immediate community.

Q: What is the reason for the target of 350 students?
A: We assumed two classes of approximately 25 per class/two classes per grade for all seven grades of pk-5.  Before we began the community meetings, we were considering using the state average elementary school enrollment, which is 585.  Community feedback led us to adjust the number down.

Q: When I was a student a Young Women's Leadership Academy, a small class size was constantly advertised as a benefit to learning. Why is it now being used as a criterion to close other schools?
A: SAISD did not consider class size a criterion for possible closure. The Primary Criteria used were:
1.Campus enrollment of 350
2.Cost per student of $8,464
3.Facility use of at least 75%
The district’s Study of School Building Capacity has shown that if the initial rightsizing recommendations are adopted, the average class size across the district would be about 22. This would not be an increase.

Q: If you are going to keep the Lamar teachers and pay them then why not leave them at Lamar? You can't argue about building costs because you have said SAISD is keeping the building, which includes upkeep.
A: The primary goal of the SAISD rightsizing effort is the equitable distribution of resources and services, which requires consolidation of students into fewer campuses.

Q:I attended Lamar almost 30 years. If you think Lamar is small now it was small then. How can you guarantee parents that all of Lamar's students will be benefited as they are being done now?
A: Students from Lamar will continue in the Dual Language program and benefit from a the more equitable distribution of resources and services.

Q: Has the district considered the social value of this school to SA? We are very segregated city but look at how diverse the Lamar community is in this gym tonight. This is rare and valuable.
A: Thank you for your insight. The community has requested an equity audit to ensure there is an equitable application of the framework and recommendations across communities, and the district agrees. An internal audit was conducted in September and is available online, and an external audit will be completed before Nov. 13. More information about both the internal and external audits can be found at https://www.saisd.net/page/study_sb_capacity_data.  

Q: Lamar is one of the truly diverse schools in our district. Diversity is NOT 90% or more or one group. Is Lamar targeted because their white population of 18% is higher than what the district wants?
A: The community has requested an equity audit to ensure there is an equitable application of the framework and recommendations across communities, and the district agrees. An internal audit was conducted in September and is available online, and an external audit will be completed before Nov. 13. More information about both the internal and external audits can be found at https://www.saisd.net/page/study_sb_capacity_data.  

Q: What is the process to remove schools from the list? And when will changes be announced during this process?
A: SAISD is committed to reviewing/analyzing all feedback, suggestions and comments that are based on the primary and contextual criteria. A vote is scheduled on the November 13, 2023, during the meeting of the SAISD Board of Trustees. 

Q: It sounds like you have made a decision on closing schools!! if not answer us HOW???do we keep the schools open?
A: SAISD is committed to reviewing/analyzing all feedback, suggestions and comments that are based on the primary and contextual criteria. A vote is scheduled on the November 13, 2023, during the meeting of the SAISD Board of Trustees. 

Q: How can you say this is equitable when you have a whole SAISD district that is not having ANY recommendations for school closures?
A: We understand your concern. The community has requested an equity audit to ensure there is an equitable application of the framework and recommendations across communities, and the district agrees. An internal audit was conducted in September and is available online, and an external audit will be completed before Nov. 13. More information about both the internal and external audits can be found at https://www.saisd.net/page/study_sb_capacity_data.  

Q: What is the amount the federal gov't contributes per student for military family members attending school at Lamar?
Q: How much in Federal Impact Aid and defense Department Impact Aid is Lamar receiving given the local military population? Does it get included in the $6+K amount being cited?
A: The formula used to calculate the funding generated for each student of a military family. It can be found at: https://impactaid.ed.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Impact-Aid-BSP-Maximum-Calculation.pdf. For fiscal year 2022 and 2023, the district has received less than $150,000 for all federally connected students in SAISD. Comparatively, this is a minimal source of funding.

Q: Why are we not talking about budget concerns? Initially, the rightsizing was "sold" to the community as not being about finances or budgets but about equity. Which is it?
A: While SAISD does predict future budget deficits without rightsizing, the district’s primary concern is ensuring that all students have what they need to learn and thrive. This requires the equitable distribution of services and resources.

Q: Did you take into consideration quality of curriculum when you made this school close list? You are closing schools using better reading & math curriculum, and SAISD test scores will drop as a result.
A: SAISD has assured the community that students in choice programs such as Dual Language, International Baccalaureate and P-Tech, will have the opportunity to continue those. Curricula chosen at the campus level will remain subject to data analysis.

Q: Just out of curiosity, how is there such a big difference between funding per pupil district wide? I see YMLA pulls 11k per student while other schools get about 7k.
A: Thank you for your concern. This is exactly the inequality we hope to correct through rightsizing. All schools whether large or small have similar operation costs, so schools with fewer students are not less expensive to run. All campus also receive a base amount of funding per student. Because of this, schools with lower enrollment do not have enough of these funds to run their campus. Their budgets must be supplemented by pulling funds from other schools. This is why you will find higher spending per student at smaller campuses and less at larger. Rightsizing will consolidate campuses and make spending per student, and the distribution of services and resources more equitable.

Q: If we aren't within budget, wouldn't it make more sense to raise funds than close? You don't burn the house when a bulb goes out, you buy another bulb.
A: Thank you for your suggestion. School districts are limited in how they can raise funds. In Texas, public schools receive money from two primary sources: local property taxes and state funds. The state determines how much money school districts receive from both local property taxes and the state, using a formula called the Foundation School Program Formula. This formula calculates how much money school districts need to operate schools, including salaries and supplies. For more information/detail regarding how public schools are funded in Texas, we encourage you to read Here’s How Texas Funds Public Schools. This story can be found on the SAISD homepage at www.saisd.net.

Q: Do what I am understanding is 3,000 dollars is causing this caos? So the board and the superintendent will they receive a pay deduction because they are no longer responsible for 19 schools?
A: Thank you for voicing your concerns. SAISD is focused on the inequitable distribution of funds, resources and services throughout the district and is hoping to correct this through rightsizing. All schools whether large or small have similar operation costs, so schools with fewer students are not less expensive to run. All campus also receive a base amount of funding, about $6160 per student. Because of this, schools with lower enrollment do not have enough of these funds to run their campus. Their budgets must be supplemented by pulling funds from other schools. This is why you will find higher spending per student at smaller campuses and less at larger. Funds taken from larger schools and added to smaller budgets can add up to thousands per student. Rightsizing will consolidate campuses and make spending per student, and the distribution of services and resources more equitable.

Q: What will happen with the Headstart program will Headstart be transferred to MLK or would my child have to attend Carrol?
A: Head Start Programming will be available at Carrolll while MLK is being built. Once MLK is built (as soon as 2026), Head Start Programming will move to the new building with the PK children.

Q: Class sizes are determined by enrollment so what guarantees are given to parents about class sizes conducive to learning?
A: At the beginning of the rightsizing process, SAISD carried out the Study of School Building Capacity. This study showed that if the initial recommendations are approved, and followed, the average class size for the district would be 22 students. This would not be an increase from our current student to teacher ratio. 

Q: For the parents who researched good schools for their children to go to, and to just shut down multiple schools and just send them to the closest building, what about the quality of education?
A: Rightsizing will lead to more equitable and additional resources at all SAISD schools. How those resources are used will be decided by the school’s principal, staff, and Campus Advisory Council. Rightsizing decisions will lead to early childhood services in every elementary school, fewer split grade levels or teaching assignments, more courses or full-time specialty teachers (art, music, AVID, etc), increased staff collaboration, additional student services (mental health, social work, academic intervention, etc), more robust dual language programs, greater access to extracurriculars, and increases to campus budgets for positions like library services, Family and Community Engagement Specialists, and instructional coaches.
With Gates students attending ML King at Carroll and ML King, more students and families will gain access to

• Enhanced mental health and social services;
• on-campus ALE, BSC, and ESCE instruction for students needing specialized programming;
• onsite PK-8 dual language programming at MLK;
• full-time teachers for elementary music, elementary art, and middle school art;
• access to dance instruction; and
• a reduction or elimination in the number of split classrooms

Q: What will happen to the teachers and staff?
A: If rightsizing is approved by the board, we will stand by our staff throughout this process. SAISD expects to keep most, and preferably all, staff. While a vote on initial rightsizing recommendations will not happen until Nov. 13 and recommendations could change, SAISD has proactively developed plans to support employees as well as families. Click here to view the Empower Plan – Employee Support, which highlights the employee support plan including an outline of the transition process and a timeline.
Human Capital Management (HCM) will make every reasonable effort to provide a similar job/position to impacted staff. Transition employees' assignments will be prioritized with an aim to provide an equivalent grade level, content, and/or role within the employee's current cluster/feeder pattern through a final assignment is subject to student enrollment. If a final assignment is not pay-comparable to the transition employee's previous assignment, SAISD will provide pay protection. 

Q: What is happening to the principals and administrators of the closing schools?
A: The SAISD Office of School Leadership will determine the best-fit placement of each principal during the rightsizing process. It is possible that the principal may be the same or the welcoming campus may possibly have a new principal. However, employees who wish to follow or join with a specific principal may complete the SAISD transfer application and follow the annual transfer process through HCM. Click here to view the Empower Plan – Employee Support, which highlights the employee support plan including an outline of the transition process and a timeline.

Q: What will happen with the contracts that the teachers had with the previous school, will they need a renewal or will it follow the new school?
A: All contractual stipulations, protections, and limitations apply as in any other year. Any employees currently under contract will remain under contract through the end of the contract term, notwithstanding any other stipulations or sanctions. 
Human Capital Management (HCM) will make every reasonable effort to provide a similar job/position to impacted staff. Transition employees' assignments will be prioritized with an aim to provide an equivalent grade level, content, and/or role within the employee's current cluster/feeder pattern through a final assignment is subject to student enrollment. If a final assignment is not pay-comparable to the transition employee's previous assignment, SAISD will provide pay protection. 

Q: So with all these schools closing going to another school that already has a principal and assistant principal. What happens to the administration and principals from the closing schools?
A: The SAISD Office of School Leadership will determine the best-fit placement of each principal during the rightsizing process. More information on timelines will be forthcoming. However, staff wishing to follow their principal may be able to do so through the traditional SAISD Transfer process which begins in Spring 2024. Any decisions on school leadership haven’t been made as of Oct. 20, and we are developing a process for determining campus leadership. That process will be announced on Nov. 13, when the Board votes on the Rightsizing recommendation.  

Q: What has been done to increase enrollment?
A:  If the board votes to go forward with the Rightsizing resolution, each school will utilize its multidisciplinary School Empowerment team, who will work collaboratively to help families regarding enrollment (and other issues) as well as speak with families about what school option will best fit their child.
Additionally, we will have virtual tours and in-person visits of the receiving campuses starting at the end of November. Any parents with questions about enrollment options at the newly formed school and academies can reach out to the following resources.      
Empower Family Hotline: (210)244-0845    
Email: empowerfamilies@saisd.net    
SAISD Enrollment Office: (210)554-2660    
To learn more about any of SAISD’s current offerings, view our digital Enrollment Guide, which features all of our schools. If you are interested in a choice campus, you can visit saisdchoice.com.  

Q: Why are improvements being made to the campus currently if it is on a closure list?
A: The Rightsizing Initial recommendation is just that - a recommendation. No decisions have been made, and the initial recommendation will be undergoing changes as we hear from our families and community members at the second round of neighborhood meetings. The initial recommendation will be voted on Nov. 13.

Q: Why isn't a high school being closed?
A: Our comprehensive high schools within each single-member district form a special kind of neighborhood in San Antonio. They have been here for generations. Sometimes our children walk the same halls and cheer for the same team as their grandparents did. For these important reasons we decided not to make any rightsizing recommendation that affects a comprehensive high school. Rather, we have done our best to create a sustainable balance of academic choices and services serving students in grades Pre-K through 8 for each high school neighborhood within each Trustee member district. Our recommendations reflect the hard work of creating that new equilibrium within that basic limit. 

Q: Why was there no zoom session for our meeting?
A: Zoom sessions are planned according to the RSVPs received. If the number of RSVPs indicates the meeting location will be at capacity, a Zoom session will be offered.

Q: What was the genesis in the decision on what school to close?  What are we doing with the buildings?
A: The Rightsizing decision framework is composed of three basic parts.

• Values: the principles that should guide the recommendation,
• Primary criteria: statistics that were used to identify underutilized facilities, and
• Contextual Criteria: Other factors or characteristics that will help inform a recommendation. The Contextual Criteria include factors like the historical context of the building, the uniqueness of the school programming, or whether continuity in services can be provided at the receiving schools.  

The general response to the framework has been affirming in the community meetings. Nevertheless, there have been patterns of responses that reshaped the framework. View the decision framework here. We continue to adjust the framework as we listen to the community and analyze the campuses. The threshold determines whether a school is considered but does not determine whether a school will close or receive students.

If the Board votes to move forward with the initial Rightszing recommendation on Nov. 13, there will be continued conversations regarding the buildings. As of Oct. 19, no decisions have been made regarding the school buildings that may possibly close if the votes passes. 

Q: When will the questions/answers be published from the back channel on the district website?  Y'all keep saying it will be published but never say when.  Initially it was said to be a 24 hour turnaround.
A: Transition Team members are working diligently to answer the back channel questions that were received at the in-person meetings. We are updating the website accordingly, and due to the specific nature of some of the questions, response times vary.

Q: Why hasn't it been made public how much money would be saved by closing all these schools?  How much of the deficit would be improved with these closures?
A: While the primary goal of rightsizing is to ensure a high-quality education for all students at all campuses, the district will realize some savings if a final recommendation is approved by the board. The cost savings will come primarily from maintaining and paying utilities for fewer buildings once the vacated facilities are repurposed and leased to other organizations who will not only maintain the facilities, but also continue to meet a need in the community. If the rightsizing recommendation is approved, the district will use the finalized school data to estimate the cost savings that will improve the district’s operating deficit and will incorporate this information into the budget planning for 2024-2025.

Q: Do we have the option to vote to keep or school open until the renovation is complete?
A: The SAISD Board, which was elected by the public, will be voting on the Rightsizing Initial recommendation on Nov. 13, 2023. 

Q: Isn't prek-8 grade a bit risky? Wouldn't it cause issues with kids in different age groups? (for MLK)
A: Campus administration and staff are aware of parents' safety concerns regarding children of varying ages on one campus. Interactions between younger and older students is limited and closely managed when it does take place. Younger children are located in different wings of a building than older children, they eat lunch at different times, and depending on the campus layout, drop-off and pick-up locations and times are staggered.

Q: Will there be multiple security guards at MLK (if you close all these schools)?
A: SAISD's unwavering priority is to keep everyone in our care safe from harm – every child and every staff member. All of our students are like our own children, and we will do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe from harm.
We have a Campus Safety Committee tailored for each school and also a district-wide Safety and Security Committee to help guide our safety measures. Each campus will practice at least one lockdown drill each school year, appropriate to students' ages. All SAISD school's exterior doors and gates are secured at all times, and visitors must be buzzed in within full view of front office staff before entry. Visitors enter through a secure area and are electronically checked in to ensure that only the most relevant people are on our campuses.
Additionally, our front office staff have access to a push-button emergency notification system that immediately notifies our police department if assistance is needed. Video cameras are placed around our campus so that any unusual activity can be detected and recorded.
Our entire district and police department help foster a safe and secure learning and working environment. We have a strong relationship with all local law enforcement and first responder agencies so that our efforts are coordinated to better serve the community and schools in the event of a threat.

Q: I feel that it is highly insecure and unsafe to have children outside in portables instead of a secure building. Seems highly unsafe. Where will they escape to when there is danger?
A: We have school safety protocols at each of our campuses, for both permanent buildings and portable classrooms. School safety protocols include either the presence of officers in or around the buildings or on patrol in the neighborhood, in addition to the safeguards listed in the previous answer. Our goal is to ensure campus safety at all times and to retain a calm and productive learning environment for all students. 

Q: Do you feel it's in the best interest for y'all to up root the students when y'all have a facility that can teach them here?
A: The ultimate goal of rightsizing is to deliver on our promise of a high-quality education for every child. By consolidating the number of schools to better match current student enrollment, the school your child attends will be more equitably and robustly resourced. Even if the school is under bond renovations for state-of-the-art facilities, the transition now will still benefit your child.  
Some of the advantages could include: consistent class sizes and campuses having greater access to the full continuum of special education services, full-time fine arts teachers, and expanded athletics, among other essential services such enhanced social emotional learning and mental health support.
Your child’s teachers will have access to peer educators for the same grade level and/or subject, allowing them to collaborate on curriculum and feel more supported – further enhancing your child’s education and the teacher’s experience.
Students also may experience a broader range of student peer interactions, and now with more educator and staff support, receive more enrichment or intervention services based on their individual needs. All of these advantages could lead to more thriving students and staff, and therefore, more thriving schools.

Q: My problem is that I have to go 2 different schools at the same time one is going to Carol and the other to M.L.K.
A: The SAISD Transportation Department is working on plans for campuses at which families may be split if the SAISD Board approves the initial recommended plan on Nov. 13. 
Currently, SAISD provides bus service to Choice Schools from hubs across the district. If your children are attending Choice Schools, you may be able to take all three to one hub location where they could board a bus/buses to their individual schools. While no final decisions have been made regarding transportation hubs like this at merged schools, our team is considering various transportation options that would help parents with children attending different schools.
We encourage you to click on Transportation under Departments on the SAISD home page. Once you are on the Transportation page, you can click on Transportation Schedule for Choice Schools under Quicklinks to find an explanation of the system and bus times.

Q: How does moving boundaries affect school bus transportation? We have families who will literally be split between schools.  One family will have a child at one campus and have to commute to another.
A: Currently, SAISD provides bus service to Choice Schools from hubs across the district. If your children are attending choice schools, you may be able to take all three to one hub location where they could board a bus/buses to their individual schools.
We encourage to click on Transportation under Departments on the SAISD home page. Once you are on the Transportation page you can click on Transportation Schedule or Choice School under Quicklinks to find an explanation of the system and bus times.
The SAISD Transportation Department is also working on plans for campuses at which families may be split if the recommended plan is approved by the SAISD Board of Trustees on Nov. 13.

Q: Sounds like sending bilingual to one school and monolingual to another school is segregation!! Why is this ok?
A: Washington ES has an existing dual language program whereas Cameron does not, this is the only reason for recommending different campuses for Pershing's dual language students.

Q: How is closing schools going to improve reading abilities? What is the correlation or research behind this statement?
A: Rightsizing will lead to increased enrollment and additional resources at schools, including reading support. How those resources are used will be decided by the school’s principal, staff, and Campus Advisory Council. Rightsizing decisions will lead to early childhood services in every elementary school, fewer split grade levels or teaching assignments, more courses or full-time specialty teachers (art, music, AVID, etc),  increased staff collaboration, additional student services (mental health, social work, academic intervention, etc), more robust dual language programs, greater access to extracurriculars, and increases to campus budgets for positions like library services, Family and Community Engagement Specialists, and instructional coaches.

Q: Will the Contextual Criteria characteristics that distinguish receiving schools also be written in the profiles and considered for closing?
A: Yes, view all school profiles here.

Q: Is the Decision Framework purposefully bias against schools that meet the closure criteria in that the Contextual Criteria is only applied to receiving schools while closing schools only get meetings?
A: A: We applied the same Contextual Criteria to all schools. Additionally, the community requested an equity audit to ensure there is an equitable application of the framework and recommendations across communities, and the district agrees. An internal audit was conducted in September and is available online, and an external audit will be completed before Nov. 13. More information about both the internal and external audits can be found here.   

Q: Washington also met two criteria. Why was Washington chosen to stay open and not Pershing?
A: Washington is better suited as a receiving school than surrounding campuses due to its location. 

Q: How can we have access to other schools that already have waitlists?
A: There will be priority registration starting December 1 for all students effected by rightsizing. If a family is applying to a Choice School, they will have the opportunity to rank in order all of the schools they are interested in attending. The district's enrollment system will provide a placement at the highest-ranked school to which the application is eligible and has a seat available.

Q: Will the custodians and other non-academic workers at closing schools be guaranteed to keep their jobs?
A: San Antonio ISD will stand by its staff throughout this transition process. This means we will facilitate new assignments for all employees impacted by Rightsizing for the 2024-2025 school year. Wherever possible, we will offer impacted staff priority assignment opportunities to follow their students. We will also offer impacted qualified staff early access and priority status for other assignments.    
Human Capital Management (HCM) will notify each transition employee of their new assignment status. HCM will be available to provide VIP case management services through multiple options - virtual, in-person, or phone hotline etc. The Employee Resource Toolkit (ERT) housed in the EMPOWER PORTAL provides up-to-date information on district events and activities. Transition employees who choose to seek a different position will work with HCM utilizing the Individual Choice Request form and attend Transition Pair Fairs. The detailed Empower Transition Plan is available at www.saisd.net/empowerstaff 

Q: Why does the narrative keep changing? I thought I was for cost savings?
A: SAISD’s goal with rightsizing is to improve educational outcomes for students by providing equitable services across all schools. If the Board of Trustees approves the rightsizing recommendation package on Nov. 13, the school district will be able to align its spending to the number of students in the district instead of the number of buildings.

Q: What other options has the district explored to address these issues besides closing schools?
A: We have increased enrollment marketing efforts, especially personal outreach to include block walking. Additionally, we invested in innovation with the creation of in-district charter schools to give families more options, and these campuses brought in students from other districts. Locally, SAISD became the district that enrolled the most out-of-district students, but still the influx of students from other districts was not enough to off-set the decreasing birthrate and the increasing housing costs in the urban core. 

Q: What do you mean by resources? I do not know what that means, like books?
A: "Resources" can mean many things, including money, people, school space, materials, and so on.

Q: There is some agreement that rightsizing is necessary but we want you to reconsider letting Pershing be a receiving school.
A: Cameron received a major addition and renovations under Bond 2010, and its facility is in better condition than Pershing. Washington is better suited as a receiving school than the surrounding campuses due to its location. 

Q: Has there been discussions to move back the November voting date to correctly shift thru the communities concerns?
A: We are proactively working on incorporating what we hear back from the community so the revised recommendation that is presented to the board on Nov. 13 accurately represents the community's input from the 37 meetings we will have held between Aug. 17-Nov. 2. The November timeline is needed, so that if the recommendation is approved by the board, both families and staff have time to consider their campus options for next school year. 

Q: Will the teachers at Green move with the kids or are they going to get displaced?
A: This will depend on campus needs. The heart of the SAISD Empower Plan is to prioritize moving school familias together to ensure continuity through careful and intentional new assignments. Additional information will be provided in the Staff Empower Plan.

Q: How do we plan on retaining our teachers and attracting more to the profession?
A: We are offering Commitment bonuses to staff at closing schools ($3,000 for professional staff and $1,500 for paraprofessional and classified staff), which will be available to eligible transition employees in a lump-sum payment in August 2024, so long as the employee is still active with SAISD at that time.     
For transition employees with a delayed closure, a second commitment bonus will be paid out in a lump-sum payment in August after the campus closes, as long as the employee is still active with SAISD. Transition employees will not be permitted to transfer to other schools during the 2023-24 school year. 
Additionally, on April 17, 2023 the SAISD Board of Trustees approved a pay increase for all full-time, permanent employees in the district for the 2023-2024 academic year. The total district cost of increased compensation totals $19.9 million, and more than half of this allotment will benefit teachers. You can read more about the pay raises here. 

Q: Are there any plans to increase what we pay teachers?
A: On April 17, 2023 the SAISD Board of Trustees approved a pay increase for all full-time, permanent employees in the district for the 2023-2024 academic year. The total district cost of increased compensation totals $19.9 million, and more than half of this allotment will benefit teachers. You can read more about the pay raises here. 
Regarding rightsizing, we are offering Commitment bonuses to staff at closing schools ($3,000 for professional staff and $1,500 for paraprofessional and classified staff), which will be available to eligible transition employees in a lump-sum payment in August 2024, so long as the employee is still active with SAISD at that time.    
For transition employees with a delayed closure, a second commitment bonus will be paid out in a lump-sum payment in August after the campus closes, as long as the employee is still active with SAISD. Transition employees will not be permitted to transfer to other schools during the 2023-24 school year.

Q: How can we claim that we value equity when most of the school closures are on the west and east side?
A: The community requested an equity audit to ensure there is an equitable application of the framework and recommendations across communities, and the district agreed. An internal audit was conducted in September and is available online, and an external audit will be completed before Nov. 13. More information about both the internal and external audits can be found here.   

Q: It's interesting that this framework hasn't really been transparent with the other schools that weren't on the list.  Are they down population wise?  Has this succumbed to politics with other trustees?
A: The Decision Framework was applied to all SAISD schools. You can view individual school data profiles here. 

Q: Speak on why 20,000 students have been lost and for what reason.
A: While San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, the city doesn’t have a lot of school-aged children, especially in the urban core. The two main reasons are:  

• The rising cost of housing in the urban core than the suburbs forcing families to move outside of the district.
• A declining birthrate.

Projections predict that these trends will continue over the next few years, and we will continue to lose students. SAISD has been losing enrollment for the past 20+ years and has 18,326 fewer students today than we did in 1998. We have not closed school buildings at the same rate our enrollment has declined. We have been reluctant to close schools, so our schools have become emptier. While we have invested in innovation, which has worked, we have not recovered enough students to make our schools thrive and be sustainable. Now, resources are spread thin across our 90+ school buildings, leading to inequitable student experiences across the district, including fewer programs, split classes, and fewer mental health and other student services. 

Q: Re: your statement that you will consider all feedback, info, and take int into consideration.  How will you continue to engage with communities as you reconsider? There should be more time and dialogue.
A: We have taken community input at all stages of this rightsizing process and appreciate the input from the Bonham and Green communities. SAISD is committed to reviewing/analyzing all feedback, suggestions, and comments that are based on the primary and contextual criteria, and we will be revising the initial recommendation based on the feedback received from our families and community. A vote on the initial recommendation is scheduled for November 13, 2023, during the meeting of the SAISD Board of Trustees.  

Q: Would the Green campus be called Bonham at Green?
A: Thank you for your question. The plan presented to the SAISD Board of Trustees on September 18, 2023, was an initial recommendation. The district and trustees are in the process of taking and reviewing feedback, questions and suggestions from the community, and changes could still come. However, if a plan that merges the two schools is approved, the naming of the schools would be part merger process with both school communities participating. The Board will vote on a rightsizing plan on November 13.

Q: What would be the financial/operational consequences to the district of delaying the implementation of any rightsizing or restructuring decisions beyond the 24-25 school year?
A: Thank you for this question. If SAISD does not implement a rightsizing plan, our campuses and students would continue to struggle with the equitable distribution of resources and services. We would continue to see students with special needs forced to seek out the campuses that can support them. Financially, SAISD would be forced to incur deficits that could lead to a TEA takeover of the district.

Q: If you're closing up to 19 campuses, why can't you reallocate funds to Green to keep them open?
A: Green is a historically under-enrolled elementary school that even at full enrollment would be too small to meet the enrollment threshold to be considered "thriving." By merging Green with Bonham Academy as one school across two campuses, students will benefit from increased building utilization at Green and the alleviation of congestion at Bonham. As a result of this merger, it is projected that in 2024 there will be 261 PK-02 students at Green at Bonham.

Q: Why are you not considering the merging of Green with Riverside Park Elementary as they have requested?
A: Thank you for this question. The merger of Green with Bonham Academy would solve issues at Green and Bonham Academy and create two thriving campuses. Green is a historically under-enrolled elementary school that even at full enrollment would be too small to meet the enrollment threshold to be considered "thriving." By merging Green with Bonham Academy as one school across two campuses, students will benefit from increased building utilization at Green and the alleviation of congestion at Bonham. As a result of this merger, it is projected that in 2024 there will be 261 PK-02 students at Green at Bonham.

Q: Doesn't YWLA have a director of schools that oversees administration at both YWLA and YWLA Primary and is responsible for continuity and community.  Could this be a model for Green and Bonham?
A: Any decisions on school leadership haven’t been made, and we are developing a process for determining campus leadership. That process will be announced on Nov. 13, when the Board votes on the Rightsizing recommendation.  
Schools that may merge through Rightsizing will go through a process (which is still being developed) to select a principal for that school. The school’s Campus Advisory Council, which includes teachers, families, and community members, will be asked to give recommendations on selecting their school’s leadership. There will be an emphasis on finding leaders who can help merge the identities, culture, families, and staff of the combined campuses. 

Q: I hope there will be joint Bonham/Green staff culture committee to help plan merging school cultures and socials. 
A: Thank you for your suggestion. Please, know that it the recommendation to merge Green and Bonham is adopted. SAISD will work with both campuses to purposefully create a singular culture that honors both campuses. We encourage all to stay informed and participate.

Q: Parking at Bonham is difficult. WIll anything be done to alleviate issues surrounding parking on that campus?
A: We are taking parking issues into consideration and are evaluating ways to address this issue.

Q: With one admin team from the Green and Bonham merge, how will they handle trauma and mental support at 2 different schools with a single counselor?
A: Rightsizing will lead to increased enrollment and additional resources, including student mental health services. How those resources are used will be decided by the school’s principal, staff, and Campus Advisory Council. In addition to more equitable mental health services, rightsizing decisions will lead to early childhood services in every elementary school, fewer split grade levels or teaching assignments, more courses or full-time specialty teachers (art, music, AVID, etc),  increased staff collaboration, additional student services (mental health, social work, academic intervention, etc), more robust dual language programs, greater access to extracurriculars, and increases to campus budgets for positions like library services, Family and Community Engagement Specialists, and instructional coaches.

Q: Way back in the 80s SAISD had a peer suport/buddy program at Longfellow.  Students were educated and trained to be peer support buddies for special needs students throughout the school day.
A: Inclusion should be valued in all settings and this comment is a great example of a method for ensuring inclusion. Each campus should be open to opportunities to build friendships across student groups. 

Q: It sounds like ALE students will move after second grade to the other campus.  Has the impact of the change of schools on students been considered?
A: We realize that it is a stressful time for families and the people who help them who may be affected by the rightsizing process. As educators, there is not one member of SAISD staff, administration or faculty that is happy about the possibility of closing any school. What we can do is ensure that the needs of our students are met – that resources and services are equitably distributed across the district in order for them to thrive while maintaining the district’s financial health.

Q: What ever happened to high regard of and the quest for a low student to teacher ratio?
A: Thank you for the opportunity to address the issue of student to teacher ratio. The initial recommendation presented to the SAISD Board of Trustees was based on the Study of School Building Capacity carried out by the district. This study showed that even if all the recommendations are adopted, the average class size across the district would be 22. This would not be an increase.

Q: As a teacher it is hard to have multiple grades in one classroom. I do not do them any justice.
A: Thank you for your concern for your students. This illustrates the need for rightsizing. Rightsizing will allow the district to ensure equitable distribution of resources and services throughout the district. Teachers would no longer be called on to teach multiple grades in one class nor would they work in isolation as the only teacher of their subject on a campus. They would have the opportunity to collaborate with others.

Q: What are the plans to help parents who have to take children to both sites due to ages?
A: Currently, SAISD provides bus service to Choice Schools from hubs across the district. It is possible that your children could be dropped off at one hub location where they could board a bus/buses to their individual schools. We encourage to click on Transportation under Departments on the SAISD home page. Once you are on the Transportation page you can click on Transportation Schedule for Choice Schools under Quicklinks to find an explanation of the system and bus times.  The SAISD Transportation Department is also working on plans for campuses at which families may be split if the recommended plan is approved by the SAISD Board of Trustees on Nov. 13. We hope this information helps. If you more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Q: What happens to the Burnett bond money?
Q: If now the Bond Money will be used for renovations to the new buildings. What would be the process for it? How long will it take for the district to let us use the money for that?
A: If the Board of Trustees approves a rightsizing recommendation that includes the closures of schools in the 2020 bond, the funds set aside for the closed buildings would go to other schools that will continue to educate students. The district would evaluate what upgrades the remaining school facilities would need and use the bond dollars for those projects. Bond money can only be spent on building renovations or improvements or to construct new facilities.

Q: Will Twain at Gonzalez be a wall-to-wall Dual Language School?
A: Yes.

Q: What will be done to ensure the classes remain balanced 50/50 at Twain at Gonzalez?
A: The Dual Language Department will continue to work with the office of access and enrollment to ensure the ratio for Emergent Bilinguals  and non-Emergent Bilingual students is 50:50. 

Q:  Why change a Dual Language model that is working well?
Q: When will administration be trained for the different model? Have the cost for purchasing the resources been considered for a model with language by teacher? Have implications been considered? 
A: We will not be changing the 80-20 model at Twain or anywhere else in the district. The model was approved in EHBE local by the board in September 2021.

Q: When would monoligual teachers get training on pedagogy, ideology and instruction for a dual lanuage model where language is based on teacher?
A: All staff at dual language campuses get professional development on language acquisition, culturally sustaining teaching and our biliteracy framwork.

Q: How will teachers be able to be bridge? If the teachers are split. 
A: If the rightsizing recommendation comes to fruition, the SAISD Dual Language Department will do the professional development. 

Q: Who on the rightsizing committee is doing the critical research on different Bilingual Dual Language programs? What does the Dual Language department have to say about this? 
A: The partner teacher model is not currently being used in SAISD. This will be a shift in practice at just one campus. 

Q: What will the plan be for transporting the PK students to the other campus?  Or vice versa?
A: PK students who choose to attend their neighborhood schools will no longer need to be transported to an Early Childhood Center. Students can choose to enroll at the Twain at Gonzalez campus starting Dec. 1. Currently, SAISD provides bus service to Choice Schools from hubs across the district. If your children attend a Choice School like Twain, you may be able to take them to one hub location where they could board a bus/buses to their individual schools in coordination with school start and dismissal times.

Q: Is shuttle or additional bus service being considered? How will start time & dismissal time be staggered so that siblings attending both Gonzalez & Twain be delivered & picked up on time?
A: Currently, SAISD provides bus service to Choice Schools from hubs across the district. If your children are attend a Choice School like Twain, you may be able to take them to one hub location where they could board a bus/buses to their individual schools in coordination with school start and dismissal times.
While SAISD and its Board of Trustees are still in the process of studying the initial rightsizing recommendations and taking in feedback from the community, the SAISD Transportation Department is already working to solve transportation issues that may result from the passage of a rightsizing plan. If the recommendations are approved, Transition Teams will be at campuses, and information sessions will be held to help families through this time and share information regarding transportation. A vote on a rightsizing is planned for Nov. 13.  

Q: If I want my child to attend another campus like YMLA and I can not get my child to the campus, is there a shuttle bus that is available to pick up from here and go to another choice school?
A: Currently, SAISD provides bus service to Choice Schools from hubs across the district. If your children are attending Choice Schools, you may be able to take them to one hub location where they could board a bus/buses to their individual schools in coordination with school start and dismissal times. While SAISD and its Board of Trustees are still in the process of studying the initial rightsizing recommendations and taking in feedback from the community, the SAISD Transportation Department is already working to solve transportation issues that may result from the passage of a rightsizing plan. If the recommendations are approved, Transition Teams will be at campuses, and information sessions will be held to help families through this time and share information regarding transportation. A vote on a rightsizing is planned for Nov. 13.

Q: How many teachers are anticipated to lose their jobs do to this rightsizing? Can you guarantee that no one will be let go??
A: SAISD is committed to supporting its administrators, faculty, and staff, to retaining as many as possible, and to whenever possible moving them with students. We encourage all administrators, faculty, and staff to visit the SAISD rightsizing website and go to the Empower Plan to learn more about supports and incentives. You can find the rightsizing website at www.saisd.net/rightsizing.

Q: Do y'all assure a spot at the school that my kid will be sent to?
A: Thank you for your question and your wish to stay in SAISD. Students are assured a seat at the campus designated at their receiving campus. They will also receive priority if they choose to apply at another SAISD choice school.

Q: Will we profit from the (possibly) newly occupied buildings? Could it be another stream of income?
A: Retaining ownership of any properties offers SAISD options for future use and allows the district to work with stakeholders to determine how facilities could best benefit the community.

Q: What will happen to the HeadStart program at Foster?
A: Head Start program will be offered at Schenck. Qualifying parents will also have an opportunity to choose another Head Start site.

Q: What are the requirements that put Foster on the closure list?
A: SAISD conducted a Study of School Building Capacity that looked at each campus using the same primary criteria: enrollment, facility cost per pupil, and facility use. Foster meets one of the primary criteria because it does not make adequate use of its space. It currently uses 52 percent of its available space. In addition, the school’s enrollment is declining, and it has a significantly higher number of families choosing to leave to attend other schools than choosing to come to Foster from other schools. It was also found that facilities at Highland Hills, Ball, and Schenck are all in better condition and therefore more suitable to receive students. We encourage you to go to the SAISD rightsizing website for more information on the criteria used and what was found at Foster. You can find that page at www.saisd.net/rightsizing. 

Q: The 2020 bond does not sit right with me. You tell me in 3 years that foster facilities have diminished and now you are closing the school. How can you punish this school for the district’s failure?
A: Please know that rightsizing recommendation were developed with only benefits for students and employees in mind. Our primary goal for rightsizing is the equitable distribution of resources and services throughout the district. Rightsizing will enable the district to better serve all students and better equip all faculty and staff. SAISD has also made a commitment to retain as many faculty and staff members as possible. We encourage all to visit the SAISD rightsizing website to learn more about how the district will be facilitating transitions for families and employees. You can find the rightsizing website at www.saisd.net/rightsizing. 

Q: Basically, you’re telling us is that Foster is gonna closed regardless of our thoughts and our opinions.
Q: Has this decision been made, of ultimately having to travel longer distances outside of our neighborhoods just for our kids attend a school? Because this meeting seems that decision has been set.
A: Please know that SAISD is reviewing all feedback, suggestions and options collected from the community. The plan presented to the board of trustees on September 18 is an initial recommendation. Changes based on the primary criteria of enrollment, facility cost per pupil, and facility use could still be made. A vote is scheduled for the November 13 board meeting.

Q: A lot of these parents walk their kids to school. Buses that are provided by SAISD are always short staffed and buses run late. Can you guarantee kids will be on school on time if Foster closes down?
A: Thank you for your concern for our families. The SAISD Transportation Department has assured the community that it is fully staffed and that its primary goal has been and will continue to be ensuring that all students arrive at their schools safely and on time.

Q: If it is highly encouraged for schools to become an A-rated school; why was is not considered in the framework. Our teachers work hard to educate our students and in the end it doesn't matter. 
A: In our first round of community meetings, participants overwhelmingly shared that they did not want a school’s state rating to be a determining factor in the rightsizing process. There are so many other ways to gauge school success beyond a state rating. State ratings only tell one part of a school’s story and don’t factor in aspects like school culture, atmosphere, teacher satisfaction, community involvement, etc. We acknowledge that moving to a different campus will be challenging, but we plan to make the transition as smooth as possible with the right leadership, tools, and resources.  

Q: So what you're saying is our "A" means nothing?
A: SAISD values the Texas Education Agency’s system of standardized testing as one measure of the success of each student and campus. And as education professionals with the best interest of each student at heart, we are constantly developing qualitative and quantitative means for assessing our students and campuses. That being said, in our first round of community meetings, participants overwhelmingly shared that they did not want a school’s state rating to be a determining factor in the rightsizing process. There are so many other ways to gauge school success beyond a state rating. State ratings only tell one part of a school’s story and don’t factor in aspects like school culture, atmosphere, teacher satisfaction, community involvement, etc. 

Q: Even if you were to close HPE you still need to fix the building to do whatever it is you are going to use it for, so why not use it on our children? Why not fix our school for our children?
A: According to our current building and facility analysis, Highland Hills is a better facility than Highland Park. Highland Hills will be fully improved in Bond 2020 and Japhet was fully constructed and renovated in Bond 2010. Both receiving campuses have large sites for playgrounds, parking, and circulation. If the rightsizing resolution passes on Nov. 13, we will work with our community to ensure the Highland Park Elementray building is positively utilized for the community.

Q: What's going to happen to the students have a transfer? Where will they go? And will we have a say in what school we would like for them if HPE closes?
A: If the initial rightsizing recommendation is passed on Nov. 13, 2023, you will have a say in where your student goes. According to the initial rightsizing recommendation, students who now attend Highland Park Elementary will have the opportunity to transfer to Japhet or Highland Hills. Students will also have the choice to transfer to any other neighborhood school in the district or apply to one of our many Choice School options. If students decide to apply to a Choice School, they will receive first priority in the lottery for open seats.

Q: What is going to stop us parents from moving our kids to these other charter schools around here? And just not go to Fenwick or Woodlawn Hills?
A: SAISD is proud of the education, supportive resources, extracurricular activities, and community we offer students and their families. We hope that our families will see these not just continue but improve through rightsizing efforts and remain in the district.

Q: Being an open campus has never been an issue. Why now?
Q: Why close 17 schools instead of a few low rated schools this year?
A: While San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, the city doesn’t have a lot of school-aged children, especially in the urban core. The two main reasons are:

• The rising cost of housing in the urban core than the suburbs forcing families to move outside of the district.
• A declining birthrate.

Projections predict that these trends will continue over the next few years, and we will continue to lose students. SAISD has been losing enrollment for the past 20+ years and has 18,326 fewer students today than we did in 1998. We have not closed school buildings at the same rate our enrollment has declined. We have been reluctant to close schools, so our schools have become emptier. While we have invested in innovation, which has worked, we have not recovered enough students to make our schools thrive and be sustainable. Now, resources are spread thin across our 90+ school buildings, leading to inequitable student experiences across the district, including fewer programs, split classes, and fewer mental health and other student services. 

Q: Have you thought about the people who help the parents keep the kids in this school?  This school means alot to them and my son.
A: We realize that it is a stressful time for families and the people who help them who may be affected by the rightsizing process. As educators, there is not one member of SAISD staff, administration or faculty that is happy about the possibility of closing any school. What we can do is ensure that the needs of our students are met – that resources and services are equitably distributed across the district in order for them to thrive while maintaining the district’s financial health. 

Q: So our petition means nothing to you? The voice of these 700+ parents and community members means nothing to you.
A: We have taken community input at all stages of this rightsizing process and appreciate the efforts of the Highland Park Elementary community. SAISD is committed to reviewing/analyzing all feedback, suggestions, and comments that are based on the primary and contextual criteria. A vote is scheduled on November 13, 2023, during the meeting of the SAISD Board of Trustees. 

Q: What are your intentions for when this school becomes vacant?
Q: What will happen to the facility as the doors are closed?
A: We have some high-level ideas of how we will use buildings and spaces to benefit our communities, so that these facilities continue to contribute to a thriving community. However, we also believe that communities should have a say in what happens to a school site if the Board recommends a closure or consolidation. We will deeply engage the community to learn their vision for the best future use of a school property.

Q: Do the parents of Huppertz have the right to repeal the decision the school board has made for our children?
A: Members of the community are encouraged to give feedback, ask questions or offer their suggestions prior to the scheduled vote on November 13. The rightsizing plan presented to the Board of Trustees is an initial recommendation and changes could still be made.

Q: Huppertz is at 75% capacity why close it when Sam Houston HS is at 50% and is not closing?
A: Our comprehensive high schools within each single-member district form a special kind of neighborhood in San Antonio. They have been here for generations. Sometimes our children walk the same halls and cheer for the same team as their grandparents did. For these important reasons we decided not to make any rightsizing recommendation that affects a comprehensive high school. Rather, we have done our best to create a sustainable balance of academic choices and services serving students in grades Pre-K through 8 for each high school neighborhood within each Trustee member district. Our recommendations reflect the hard work of creating that new equilibrium within that basic limit. 

Q: Why not transfer other students to Huppertz Elementary because to me it seems that you made up your mind about this. Think about the kids, you are not in their seats.
A: Based on the initial recommendation, Huppertz meets two of three primary criteria considered in the rightsizing process. It has low enrollment that has declined significantly since 2018 and is underused as a facility. Woodlawn Hills and Fenwick Academy are suitable to receive students from Huppertz because they have more robust enrollment and facility use. Both also offer International Baccalaureate instructional programming, which is currently offered at Huppertz, so students will be able to continue that experience without interruption.

Q: Community schools are safe schools please do not put our children in danger.
Q: Combining hundreds of children into one school seems like a safety concern.
A: Our goal is to ensure campus safety at all times and to retain a calm and productive learning environment for all students. Please be assured that we are and always will be vigilant to protect everyone in our care, and we act immediately to ensure everyone’s well-being. We have school safety protocols at each of our campuses, and this includes either the presence of officers in or around the buildings or on patrol in the neighborhood.

Q: If the vacant schools become public use does that mean property taxes will decrease?
A: The state determines how much money school districts receive from both local property taxes and the state, using a formula called the Foundation School Program Formula. This formula calculates how much money school districts need to operate schools, including salaries and supplies. For more information/detail regarding how public schools are funded in Texas, we encourage you to read Here’s How Texas Funds Public Schools. This story can be found on the SAISD homepage at www.saisd.net.

Q: The highest taxes on my property taxes comes from SAISD.  If you close the school is SAISD going to decrease how much they take from us?
A: The state of Texas determines the amount of funding that a school district should receive based on the “Foundation School Program” (FSP) methodology which provides base funding per student and additional weighted funding per student being served in special programs or with specific needs. Once this funding amount is determined for a school district, then the district’s tax collections are counted toward the amount needed and the state will then provide any additional funding not covered by tax collections. Because of this, a school district’s funding does not increase when property tax values increase.  A school district’s funding only increases if the State’s basic allotment or other components of the FSP methodology are changed.

Q: SAISD taxes are very high. Will taxpayers benefit from closure of schools and reduce school taxes for taxpayers?
A: When property taxes increase, that money goes to the state. The only way SAISD gets more money from higher taxes is if the state legislators says we get that money in their legislative session. They haven’t released more money to school districts since 2019. The state of Texas determines the amount of funding that a school district should receive based on the “Foundation School Program” (FSP) methodology which provides base funding per student and additional weighted funding per student being served in special programs or with specific needs. Once this funding amount is determined for a school district, then the district’s tax collections are counted toward the amount needed and the state will then provide any additional funding not covered by tax collections. Because of this, a school district’s funding does not increase when property tax values increase.  A school district’s funding only increases if the State’s basic allotment or other components of the FSP methodology are changed.

Q: How will this benefit families that are working overtime and have transportation barriers?
A: The SAISD Transportation Department is proactively working on solutions transportation issues that might arise if a rightsizing plan is approved. SAISD is committed to developing solutions that will make transitions as convenient as possible for impacted families. If a rightsizing plan is adopted and your campus is affected, a transition team will be available at your schools to answer questions regarding transportation and application/enrollment.

Q: If this is a community project, how come this rightsizing project was not something that community members could vote on?
Q: As taxpapers, we have a right to vote on closures our trustees need to hear our concerns no to closures
A: As a public school district, SAISD is overseen by an elected board of trustees. By voting and electing these trustees, people ensure they are represented in decision making for the district. Please know that SAISD trustees have attended all 38 Neighborhood Rightsizing information sessions and meetings regarding the initial recommendations. The rightsizing plan presented to the trustees on September 18 is an initial recommendation and changes could still be made. A vote is scheduled for November 13.

Q: What will happen to our dual language students?  Where will the go?  Do Sarah King and Barkley Ruiz offer the program?
A: Sarah King has a Prek-5 dual language program. There is room for Storm dual language students and teachers at Sarah King if the Nov. 13 initial recommendation vote passes. 

Q: What is going to happen to the buildings once schools have closed?
A: We have some high-level ideas of how we will use buildings and spaces to benefit our communities, so that these facilities continue to contribute to a thriving community. However, we also believe that communities should have a say in what happens to a school site if the Board recommends a closure or consolidation. We will deeply engage the community to learn their vision for the best future use of a school property.

Q: Are there enough classrooms in the receiving schools to accommodate all displaced students that still support lower class sizes?
A: There are more than enough seats at receiving schools to accommodate displaced students and still support lower class sizes. A study of campus capacities has shown that if the initial recommendations are adopted the district’s average class size would be about 22 students. This would not be an increase.

Q Will this meeting be recorded for families who could not attend?
A: Yes, You can find a video of the meeting by going to the www.saisd.rightsizing and clicking on Meeting Notes.

Q: You stated that the Board did not make the recommendation, but staff did. Can you please tell us who this "staff" is?
A: Recommendations were developed by district administrative staff representing areas ranging from human resources, and academics to data analysis and facilities/maintenance. For more information about the process, we encourage you to visit the SAISD rightsizing website at www.saisd.net/rightsizing.

Q: Which are the two datapoints for low attendance at Storm?
A: Storm meets two of the primary criteria--it has low enrollment and under-uses its facility. Families are “choicing out” of Storm at a higher rate than other schools in the region. The Storm facility is also in worse condition than either of the campuses that will receive Storm ES students.

Q: You just approved a charter extension for both Storm and Ogden.  Why did you approve the extension if you had plans on closing schools?
A: The SAISD Board of Trustees called for a Study of School Building Capacity in June 2023 and the initial recommendations from that study were presented to the board on September 18, 2023. Prior to this, SAISD did not have a plan to close schools. Please know that the plans presented on September 18 are recommendations and could still change. A vote is scheduled for November 13, 2023.

Q: With 19 elemenary schools closing there aren't many choices. What is the solution?
A: If the initial recommendations which call for the closure or merging of 19 campuses is adopted, SAISD would still have more than enough seats at its remaining schools for all impacted students. This illustrates the need for rightsizing. SAISD also offers families more choices in learning programs/formats than any other district in the county. SAISD would still offer neighborhood schools, Montessori schools, International Baccalaureate schools, CAST schools, and more. To learn more about options for SAISD families, you can go the Empower Plan for families found on the SAISD rightsizing website at www.saisd.net/rightsizing.

Q: What is going to happen to the singular positions like nurses, coaches these schools have these filled positions already.  I am a pediatric nurse and chose to work with elementary students.
A: Please know that SAISD is committed to supporting all employees through any transitions thar are approved by the Board of Trustees. Facility usage, student enrollment, facility capacity, etc. will be evaluated, and the SAISD departments will be reassigning these employees in coordination with HCM. View the Employee Empower Plan here.

Q: What is going to happen to the Si se puede schools?  I like the structure and having the extra stipend. Can both schools (Storm and Ogden) combine instead of going to other schools? Ogden's new and big.
A: The plan presented on September 18 is an initial recommendation and could still change prior to a scheduled vote on November 13. If the recommendation is approved, closing Storm and Ogden elementary schools, the partner charter could apply to partner with other schools.

Q: How will the closures affect my child's development?  Considering they will be posting them in an elementary will he or she get the same amount of coverage with teachers?
A: SAISD conducted a Study of School Building Capacity, which showed that if the initial rightsizing recommendations are adopted by the SAISD Board of Trustees, the district will have an average class size of 22 students. This would not be an increase. Average class size is public information. If the rightsizing recommendation is passed on Nov. 13, all SAISD elementaries and academies will offer Early Childhood Programming with fully certified teachers.  

Q: Will my 3 year old teacher follow him or will he have to get to know someone new?
A: This will depend on campus needs. The heart of the SAISD Empower Plan is to prioritize moving school familias together to ensure continuity through careful and intentional new assignments. Additional information will be provided here in the Family Empower Plan and the Staff Empower Plan.

Q: We have many families that are not here tonight because they like many of us believed that we were going to be open next year.  Will they be given the opportunity later to share their feedback?
A: For those who were not able attend one of our 14 community meetings or one of the 23 initial recommendation meetings, feedback and questions can be provided here though the rightsizing website. Recordings of all of the initial recommendation meetings are posted here. 

Q: How is it not a conflict of interest that our district representative is the director of after school care for the School of Essence? Aren't charter schools such as Essence going to benefit?
A: Each of our trustees is a champion of all children, and several of them serve children in other capacities beyond their roles as trustees – either as volunteers or in their careers for other organizations. As an elected official to the SAISD Board of Trustees, the trustees cannot serve as a staff member within San Antonio ISD during their tenure as trustees. If their chosen career is in education, there is no district policy that prohibits them from continuing to work in this capacity for another educational institution. Regardless of career choice, each member of the SAISD Board of Trustees commits to following a Code of Ethics and to making the best decisions for children in SAISD.

Q: We already have a shortage with a supplying of transportation for our students now - what is your plan to transport the students next year?
A: While SAISD and its Board of Trustees are still in the process of studying the initial rightsizing recommendations, we are working proactively on issues that might arise if a plan is approved. One area we are looking at is transportation. The SAISD Board of Trustees will vote on a rightsizing plan on Nov. 13. If a plan is approved, Transition Teams will be on campuses and information sessions will be held to help families through this time and share information regarding transportation and other areas.

Q: If Riverside is closed what will happen to the grounds and building? Who will be taking charge and securing the property? How quickly will the structure be repurposed or demolished? 
A: We have some high-level ideas of how we will use buildings and spaces to benefit our communities, so that these facilities continue to contribute to a thriving community. We don’t intend to sell any of our buildings. However, we also believe that communities should have a say in what happens to a school site if the Board recommends a closure or consolidation. We will deeply engage the community to learn their vision for the best future use of a school property. Some potential uses can include:  

• Working with developers to create low-cost housing for our staff, so they can live and work in our communities.
• Work with nonprofits to use buildings for fine arts centers or to provide mental health services to our families, resources that need to grow in our San Antonio community.
• Turn the area into a beautiful green space for community use, allowing nature to add peace and beauty to our neighborhoods.

It is premature at this time to present plans for specific schools and that process will happen after the Board reviews the inital rightsizing recommendations in November. 

Q: How is the waiting list going to work with "home school kids" and "relocated kids"?
A: If the initial rightsizing recommendation is passed on Nov. 13, 2023, you will have a say in where your student goes. If a student's whose home school is closed due to rightsizing, they will receive first priority in the lottery for open seats at SAISD Choice Schools. 
According to the initial rightsizing recommendation, students who now attend Riverside Park Elementary will have the opportunity to move to Japhet Academy or Hillcrest Elementary. Students will also have the choice to transfer to any other neighborhood school in the district or apply to one of our many Choice School options. 

Q: How would this relocation from their elementary school, affect their home middle school?
A: Currently, Riverside Park Elementary and Japhett Academy feed into Poe Middle School. Hillcrest feeds into Harris Middle School. If the rightsizing initial recommendation is passed on Nov. 13, some school feeder patterns may be changed. 

Q: Neighborhood schools like Riverside Park are being shuttered/replaced in favor of choice schools. What is keeping parents from leaving the district and going to charter/private schools that are closer? 
A: SAISD is proud of the education, supportive resources, extracurricular activities, and community we offer students and their families. We hope that our families will see these not just continue but improve through rightsizing efforts and remain in the district. If a student's whose home school is closed due to rightsizing and they decide they want to apply to an in-district Choice School, they will receive first priority in the lottery for open seats. 

Q: Has district special education personnel attended any of community meetings to hear our concerns for our kids?
A: Yes, district special education leadership has been in attendance at every community meeting.

Q: Did the district review the crime statistics within the closing schools with the city for any type of improvement plan as it plays a big role in bringing familiies to the area?
A: Although the district did not systematically consider city crime data, we did consider the neighborhood context of all schools as we made and reconsidered our rightsizing recommendation. In addition, the district’s Chief of Police is a member of the Executive Team that has been a part of the rightsizing process.

Q: Why was special education not part of the transition plan discussion?
A: If you have specific questions related to special education within the context of the rightsizing process, please reach out to our Transition Team. Their contact information is below.

• Empower Family Hotline: (210)244-0845  
• Email: empowerfamilies@saisd.net  
• SAISD Enrollment Office: (210)554-2660

Q: In the reporting of decline in students across the country also taking charters & private schools into account or just general public schools?
A: Declining student population is happening to private schools as well. Virtually every district in the Bexar county area has closed schools, is in the process of closing schools, or is doing a study to close schools. 

Q: I'm a parent and teacher at Riverside Park. I live in Northside and Riverside is my children't school by CHOICE because it serves as their extended familia and they are thriving. Why close us?
A: The Rightsizing decision framework is composed of three basic parts.  

• Values: the principles that should guide the recommendation,
• Primary criteria: statistics that were used to identify underutilized facilities, and
• Contextual Criteria: Other factors or characteristics that will help inform a recommendation. The Contextual Criteria include factors like the historical context of the building, the uniqueness of the school programming, or whether continuity in services can be provided at the receiving schools.  

The general response to the framework has been affirming in the community meetings. Nevertheless, there have been patterns of responses that reshaped the framework. View the inital decision framework here. We continue to adjust the framework as we listen to the community and analyze the campuses. The threshold determines whether a school is considered but does not determine whether a school will close or receive students.

Q: What is the district's plan should the recommendations not be approved? How will the district help our school communities heal from this potential division?
A: If the board does not pass a recommendation package, we will continue to serve our students with equity in mind. We will continue to listen to the community as we consider the next steps to ensure the educational equity and financial stability of our beloved district.

Q: What will happen with the principals?  Where would they lead if their school is closing?
A: The Office of School Leadership is creating a plan and process to select campus administration for the 2024-2025 school year with a potential announcement in December 2023 before Winter Break.

Q: What is the plan for all staff at campuses that are proposed for closure? 
A: Human Capital Management (HCM) will make every reasonable effort to provide a similar job/position to impacted staff. Transition employees’ assignments will be prioritized with an aim to provide an equivalent grade level, content, and/or role within the employee’s current cluster/feeder pattern. However, a final assignment is subject to student enrollment. In the event that a final assignment is not pay-comparable to the transition employee’s previous assignment, SAISD will provide pay protection. All full-time campus-based employees whose school is subject to closure will be guaranteed an assignment. For more staffing questions, employees can visit the SAISD Empower Portal.

Q: It was mention that professional staff will received $3,000 as a retention bonus. If we are rightsizing based on financial need, how can SAISD afford to pay that to affected staff?
A: SAISD’s goal with rightsizing is to improve educational outcomes for students by providing equitable services across all schools. If the Board of Trustees approves the rightsizing recommendation package on Nov. 13, the school district will be able to align its spending to the number of students in the district instead of the number of buildings.

Q: What will happen to Riverside students if Steele Montessori moves here? Will they be merged with the Montessori? How many students can this building house?
A: If the initial rightsizing recommendation is passed on Nov. 13, 2023, you will have a say in where your student goes. If a student's home school is closed due to rightsizing, they will receive first priority in the lottery for open seats at SAISD Choice Schools.      
According to the initial rightsizing recommendation, students who now attend Riverside Park Elementary will have the opportunity to move to Japhet or Hillcrest. Students will also have the choice to transfer to any other neighborhood school in the district or apply to one of our many Choice School options.    
The current Riverside building can accommodate 665 students. 

Q: How many children will be in a class now if Steele Montessori moves to Riverside?
Q: With the "merge" what will be the amount of students in a classroom?
A: At the beginning of the rightsizing process, SAISD carried out the Study of School Building Capacity. This study showed that if the initial recommendations are approved and followed the average class size for the district would be 22 students. This would not be an increase for teachers.

Q: My concern is if my child has to ride the bus, will there be someone on the bus watching them besides the bus driver?  I personallly do not feel safe having my child be driven in a bus.  Safety first!
A: SAISD is the only school district in Bexar County that has cameras on the inside and outside of every route school bus.  In addition, SAISD is the only school district in Bexar County that has an app which allow individuals to see the arrival time for their child's bus. All special education and McKinney-Vento buses have a bus monitor aboard. Bus monitors are then assigned to other routes based on need. Additionally, every school bus has seatbelts and air-conditioning, and SAISD has add an auto-braking feature to every new school bus purchase.

Q: With rightsizing, will Academy's get better for middle school students where they bring shop other skills classes to keep them engaged in hands on learning and motivation for education at this age?
A: The addition of CTE courses at academies and middle schools will depend on the student enrollment in grades 6-8th, student interest, lab space, and if campus administration elects to add an allocation for CTE courses.

Q: With rightsizing, will buildings be in consideration in vaccinations clinic for school students or pantry/emergency supplies for students and families or gyms for students or transofrm to special need campus?
A: If the Board votes to move forward with the initial Rightszing recommendation on Nov. 13, there will be continued conversations regarding the buildings. We have some high-level ideas of how we will use buildings and spaces to benefit our communities, so that these facilities continue to contribute to a thriving community. However, we also believe that communities should have a say in what happens to a school site if the Board recommends a closure or consolidation. We will deeply engage the community to learn their vision for the best future use of a school property. As of Nov. 2, no decisions have been made regarding the school buildings that may possibly close if the votes passes. 

Q: What is the possibility of removing middle school grades from academics?
A: We are considering all grade configurations in our deliberations, and the initial recommendation does have examples of converting academies to elementaries as well as bringing elementaries and middle schools together to form robust academies. During our public engagement meetings in August and September, we heard from our community that they wanted us to offer both academies and comprehensive middle schools, and so this became one of our values in the rightsizing framework. The sentiment was so strong that it appears again in our framework's contextual criteria, and as a result, the final recommendation will offer a diversity of academic choices in each region of the district. 

Q: When you say teachers will follow their students, how are the receiving schools going to choose teachers For ex. two second grade teachers are allowed to go to one school but there is only one class.
A: Human Capital Management (HCM) will make every reasonable effort to provide a similar job/position to impacted staff. Transition employees' assignments will be prioritized with an aim to provide an equivalent grade level, content, and/or role within the employee's current cluster/feeder pattern through a final assignment is subject to student enrollment. If a final assignment is not pay comparable to the transition employee's previous assignment, SAISD will provide pay protection. Staff can view more detailed information about staffing and assignments for affected staff here.

Q: If my child is doing very well with a class of 12 because the teacher has more time with my child but by putting my child in a class of 25 the teacher is not going to have the same amount of time.
A: The Federal Head Start class adult to student ratio is 1 to 10 with an average class size of 16-20.  

Q: We do offer special education services here at Nelson. In co-teach classrooms we have more than 2 teachers working with those special needs babies.
A: If the recommendation is approved, the Head Start Co-Teach special education classrooms will be relocated at other Head Start sites. 

Q: I have 2 children that attend Cotton Academy I have asked about the PreK 3 and Prek4 and they have made it clear that they don't can't help with special needs children at the moment. My son requires help.
A: In SAISD right now, schools with lower enrollment do not generate enough funds from the state’s allotment per pupil and therefore are not capable of offering many of the resources and services our students need. To better provide for our students, SAISD redirects funds from larger schools to supplement the budgets of these smaller campuses; but unfortunately it is not enough, nor is it equitable. Students may still need to go to other campuses that meet their specific needs. These examples illustrate the need for rightsizing, which the main goal is equatible services across all campuses.

Q: What will happen to the campus?
A: If the Board votes to move forward with the initial Rightszing recommendation on Nov. 13, there will be continued conversations regarding the buildings. We have some high-level ideas of how we will use buildings and spaces to benefit our communities, so that these facilities continue to contribute to a thriving community. However, we also believe that communities should have a say in what happens to a school site if the Board recommends a closure or consolidation. We will deeply engage the community to learn their vision for the best future use of a school property. As of Nov. 2, no decisions have been made regarding the school buildings that may possibly close if the votes passes. 

Q: Since the recommendation of closure of this campus, my concern is are these children guaranteed a spot at their designated campus ECE or will they compete with new incoming enrollments.
Q: Nelson serves Haven and Respite students, what will happen to them?
A: No child will lose their seat at SAISD due to rightsizing. Each family will be provided with a newly assigned home campus, recommended by the district. Families can also choose from the options below to find their best fit.

• Option 1 - District Enrolls: Family elects to attend the newly assigned home campus.
• Option 2 - Parent Applies: Family elects not to attend the newly assigned home campus and applies to an SAISD Choice School/Magnet Program during the application window. (Dec. 1-Feb. 15).
• Option 3 - Parent Requests a Transfer: Family elects not to attend the newly assigned home campus to Choice School option and elects to attend a different SAISD school.

Additionally, if the initial rightsizing recommendation is passed on Nov. 13, affected students will receive priority during the Choice School application process, which starts Dec. 1. If a family is applying to a Choice School, they will have the opportunity to rank in order all of the schools they are interested in attending. The district's enrollment system will provide a placement at the highest-ranked school to which the application is eligible and has a seat available.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions regarding enrollment.

• Empower Family Hotline: (210)244-0845    
• Email: empowerfamilies@saisd.net    
• SAISD Enrollment Office: (210)554-2660 

Q: Aren't smaller schools better? There are schools on the more affluent side of San Antonio that boast smaller classes and here we are closing down schools.
A: All schools whether large or small have similar operation costs, so schools with fewer students are not less expensive to run. All campus also receive a base amount of funding per student. Because of this, schools with lower enrollment do not have enough of these funds to run their campus. Their budgets must be supplemented by pulling funds from other schools. This is why you will find higher spending per student at smaller campuses and less at larger. Rightsizing will consolidate campuses and make spending per student, and the distribution of services and resources more equitable. 

Q: Teacher-student ratio is outrageous. I was a student teacher and I had to teach 40 students and the learning is not the same.
A: At the beginning of the rightsizing process, SAISD carried out the Study of School Building Capacity. This study showed that if the initial recommendations are approved and followed the average class size for the district would be 22 students. The Federal Head Start class adult to student ratio is 1 to 10 with an average class size of 16-20. 

Q: How many students were lost to competitors? How many more potential students will be lost to a competitors when the recruiting schools are no longer visible?
A: Of the 18,326 students SAISD has lost since 1998, 80% of student losses were due to a decreasing birthrates and the increasing housing costs in the urban core. Only 20% of student loss were to competing districts or schools.
SAISD is proud of the education, supportive resources, extracurricular activities, and community we offer students and their families. We hope that our families will see these not just continue but improve through rightsizing efforts and remain in the district.

Q: How can you have a campus culture to an established school? You can move teachers, but you cannot recreate the passion that exists in this school.
A: SAISD has developed the Empower Plan – Students and Families to minimize student and family disruption and support campus culture. This plan outlines the supports that will be put into action if SAISD Board of Trustees votes to approve a rightsizing plan. Highlights of the plan include moving administrators, faculty, and staff with students to the maximum extent possible, communicating with families clearly, transparently and in a timely manner, and empowering families through voice and choice.
Additionally, our Transition Teams will be working with closing and receiving campuses to ensure aspects of each school's unique culture and community are integrated into the newly configured campuses. 

Q: Teachers faced a RIF, Covid and now Rightsizing in the past 10 years. Please keep their wellbeing at the forefront of these discussions.
A: We have developed a detailed plan for our teachers and staff to help any transitions that may happen after the Nov. 13 vote. Staff may view that information here, along with staff-specific FAQs we have received through the process.  

Q: Will there be a lot training for the secretary to do that is part of the budget?
Q: By having head start in each school we need to have a separate department that is dedicated to do the financial part because there's not a lot training for the secretary to do that part of the budget.
A: The ECE and Finance Department will work closely with all new Head Start campus secretaries to ensure an understanding of the Head Start budget.

Q: One superintendent talked about the issue not being financial but then the other superintendent said that it is the issue so which one is it? Also, your salaries increase but yet no $ for headstart.
A: SAISD’s goal with rightsizing is to improve educational outcomes for students by providing equitable services across all schools. If the Board of Trustees approves the rightsizing recommendation package on Nov. 13, the school district will be able to align its spending to the number of students in the district instead of the number of buildings. While saving money is not the driving reason behind rightsizing, the process could end up allowing the  to reallocate funds to provide a better education for every student in the district. The federal government funds Head Start programs through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. 

Q: Early Childhood children are safer at an ECE because some 3rd trhough 5th graders behaviors are unsafe to be around younger children. Being combined with 6th, 7th, and 8th is even more dangerous.
A: SAISD's unwavering priority is to keep everyone in our care safe from harm – every child and every staff member. All of our students are like our own children, and we will do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe from harm.
Campus administration and staff are aware of parents' safety concerns regarding children of varying ages on one campus. Interactions between younger and older students is limited and closely managed when it does take place. Younger children are located in different wings of a building than older children, they eat lunch at different times, and depending on the campus layout, drop-off and pick-up locations and times are staggered
Additionally, we have a Campus Safety Committee tailored for each school and also a district-wide Safety and Security Committee to help guide our safety measures. Each campus will practice at least one lockdown drill each school year, appropriate to students' ages. All SAISD school's exterior doors and gates are secured at all times, and visitors must be buzzed in within full view of front office staff before entry. Visitors enter through a secure area and are electronically checked in to ensure that only the most relevant people are on our campuses.

Q: Miller is one of the best schools in its area. The building does not need that much work. I would like them to take that into account.
Q: Why can't they put Gates or Davis into Miller? Miller has a bigger enrolment.
A: Miller meets two primary criteria for closure. It has low enrollment, and it is underused as a facility. Although enrollment has increased since 2021, the school has been consistently under-enrolled for most of the last twenty years. The small building footprint of Miller (~53,000 sq ft) and limited ability to expand make Smith Elementary and King Academy better options to offer a thriving school for neighborhood students and families. Smith Elementary will now incorporate all of Miller’s boundary. Both Smith and ML King will offer Dual Language programming.

Q: Why are more than half the school being considered to close on the east side of town?
Q: On the west side of town there are many elementary schools as well, yet Sarah King nor Carvajal nor Kelly nor Ruiz among others were seen on that list yet they are in close proximity from each other.
A: Please know that the plan presented to the SAISD Board of Trustees is an initial recommendation and could change prior to the vote on November 13. We also encourage you to review the equity audit the district carried out in order to ensure that the established criteria were applied equitably across the district. Information regarding the criteria that was used, and the equity audit can be found on the SAISD rightsizing website at www.saisd.net/rightsizing

Q: We currently have two children attending Bonham Academy, would we be able to move our two boys who currently attend Knox over to Bonham Academy with their older siblings?
A: If the initial rightsizing recommendation is passed on Nov. 13, affected students like yours will receive priority during the Choice School application process, which starts Dec. 1. (Bonham is a Choice School.) If a family is applying to a Choice School, they will have the opportunity to rank in order all of the schools they are interested in attending. The district's enrollment system will provide a placement at the highest-ranked school to which the application is eligible and has a seat available.      
If a family does not want to apply to a Choice School, they will be provided with a newly assigned home campus, recommended by the district. Families can also choose from the options below to find their best fit.

• Option 1 - District Enrolls: Family elects to attend the newly assigned home campus.
• Option 2 - Parent Applies: Family elects not to attend the newly assigned home campus and applies to an SAISD Choice School/Magnet Program during the application window. (Dec. 1-Feb. 15).
• Option 3 - Parent Requests a Transfer: Family elects not to attend the newly assigned home campus to Choice School option and elects to attend a different SAISD school.  

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions regarding enrollment.  

• Empower Family Hotline: (210)244-0845    
• Email: empowerfamilies@saisd.net    
• SAISD Enrollment Office: (210)554-2660 

Q: If there are 19 closures happening, why couldn't 10 be closed and 9 be downsized into the remaining 10, why couldn't something like this be an option?
A: Please know that we are considering all suggestions and feedback and there could still be changes to the initial recommendations. A vote on a rightsizing plan is not scheduled util the Nov. 13 meeting of the SAISD Board of Trustees. 

Q: I feel the learning center are so impactful because of the number of teachers on campus. There is power in numbers and all teachers in learning center are focused on ECE.
A: Currently, resources are spread thin across our 90+ school buildings, leading to inequitable student experiences across the district, including fewer programs, split classes, and a possible lack of collaboration for teachers. If the initial rightsizing recommendation is passed on Nov. 13, one outcome would be having multiple teachers who teach the same grades on one campus, leading to increased collaboration, support, and training opportunities. Currently, ECE campuses have opportunities for collaboration, but other campuses do not. The rightsizing process will help to provide equitable resources across all schools in the district.

Q: Will/does SAISD have Special Education training for staff (teacher aides)?
A: Special education teachers and instructional assistants are offered specialized trainings throughout the school year. These opportunities are listed in the district's Performance Matters, which is an internal hub for all professional development that is offered throughout the district.

Q: Dual Language campus closures (Twain and Irving) should be considered & students dispersed so Dual Language is offered at every school if equity/access is the rationale for other closures (ie ECE)
A: Dual Language is currently offered at 63 campuses in SAISD. The program is offered where the number of Emergent Bilingual students can sustain it.

Q: If we are in an "educational" business, why aren't our test scores taken into consideration to keep these schools open?  Some of the schools to be kept open have lower testing scores.
A: In our first round of community meetings, participants overwhelmingly shared that they did not want a school’s state rating to be a determining factor in the rightsizing process. There are so many other ways to gauge school success beyond a state rating. State ratings only tell one part of a school’s story and don’t factor in aspects like school culture, atmosphere, teacher satisfaction, community involvement, etc. We acknowledge that moving to a different campus will be challenging, but we plan to make the transition as smooth as possible with the right leadership, tools, and resources.

Q: You said Baskin has 286 students but I've heard Maverick is already full with students, how do you plan to accommodate every student?
A: Maverick was fully replaced in 2000, and although adding students from Baskin will exceed the school’s current functional capacity, the district will use Bond 2020 resources to create space for the combined student bodies. The larger enrollment will ensure a robust, well-resourced elementary school in the neighborhood. As a result, it is projected that there will be 806 students at Maverick.

Q: How do the smaller class sizes from smaller campuses compare to other campuses test performance data? A: Data from the SAISD’s Study of School Building Capacity shows that, if all of the initial recommendations are approved by the board of trustees, the average class size within the district will be 22. This would not be considered a large class, nor is it an increase over the current average class size.

Q: Why were there weren't more efforts to attract students before closing schools?
Q: How are you going to attract peopel to join the district if you are closing schools?
A: We have increased enrollment marketing efforts, especially personal outreach to include block walking. Additionally, we invested in innovation with the creation of in-district charter schools to give families more options, and these campuses brought in students from other districts. Locally, SAISD became the district that enrolled the most out-of-district students, but still the influx of students from other districts was not enough to off-set the decreasing birthrate and the increasing housing costs in the urban core. 

Q: How is Rightsizing going to accomplish the SAISD goal of educational equity?
A: Rightsizing, if done thoughtfully, can be an opportunity to build higher-quality schools. When the number of buildings and the buildings’ capacity is better matched to the proper student enrollment, schools can be more equitably and robustly resourced.
Some of the advantages could include: smaller class sizes and campuses having greater access to extraordinary academics, special education services, fine arts, and athletics, among other essential services such as social emotional learning and mental health support. Teachers may no longer be at a campus where they are the only one teaching a certain grade level or subject, and now with peer educators, be able to collaborate on curriculum and feel more supported – further enhancing a child’s education and a teacher’s experience. Students also may experience a broader range of student peer interactions, and now with more educator and staff support, receive more enrichment or intervention services based on their individual needs. Additionally, with fewer school buildings, there may be an opportunity to staff each campus with a safety and security officer, further enhancing school safety. 
All of these advantages could lead to more thriving students and staff, and therefore, more thriving schools.

Q: Closing schools just further segregates SAISD students. Why are high achieving students treated better than everyone else?
A: Equity is the primary goal of the SAISD rightsizing effort. In SAISD right now, schools with lower enrollment do not generate enough funds from the state’s allotment per pupil and therefore are not capable of offering many of the resources and services our students need. To better provide for our students, SAISD redirects funds from larger schools to supplement the budgets of these smaller campuses; but unfortunately, it is not enough, nor is it equitable. Students may still need to go to other campuses that meet their specific needs. Rightsizing will allow for the equitable distribution of services and resources across the district and better equip schools to meet the needs of all students. We encourage to learn more about SAISD’s Rightsizing process and the equity audit that was conducted to ensure that our rightsizing criteria was applied fairly by going to SAISD rightsizing website at www. saisd.net/rightsizing.

Q: If consolidating schools in 2008 didn't work (given further decline), why do it again?
A: Thank you for your question. You are correct that past consolidation efforts did not halt the decline in enrollment in SAISD. That was not the goal. The goal then, like the current goal, was focused on better serving our students. The decline in enrollment is due to the continuing decline in the birthrate and the continuing increase in home prices in the downtown area of San Antonio. As a public school district, we have no control over these to factors. Rightsizing will help correct the inequities we have in services and resources we have across the district, enabling us to create thriving school.

Q: If the choice schools are how you draw people in, then why are you closing some of them?
A: SAISD is committed to equity in the rightsizing effort. We must apply the rightsizing criteria in the same way to every campus. And, while it is true that the majority of SAISD choice schools have brought students from other districts to SAISD, it is not true for all of them. Some are under enrolled, have facilities that are under used, and run at a higher cost per student. We encourage you to visit the SAISD rightsizing website to learn more about the criteria that was applied to campuses across the district and about the equity audit that was carried out to ensure that all campuses were evaluated fairly. You can find the website at www.saisd.net/rightsizing.

Q: Who provided the demographer the data?  Will the studies/findings be public record?
A: You can view the Enrollment Landscape Analysis Phase 1 Insights here and Enrollment Landscape Analysis Phase 2 Insights here.  

A: No decisions have been made regarding the initial recommendation presented to the board on Sept. 28. We are listening to our families and community members and are making changes to the initial recommendation based on the feedback we have received that relates to the contextual criteria. All initial recommendations were based on these criteria that the community helped us develop during our initial 14 public meetings from Aug. 17 through Sept. 12. The values and primary and contextual criteria were used to identify schools to be co-located, consolidated, or closed, as well as to identify schools suitable to receive students. We invite you to explore the criteria here; note that the content in red font is the addition to the criteria as a result of community input.   The initial recommendation was presented to the Board on Sept. 28, and the final recommendation will be voted on by the Board on Nov. 13. 

Q: Instead of consolidting Baskn and Maverick, why not more students from Maverick to Baskin?
A: Maverick was fully replaced in 2000, and although adding students from Baskin will exceed the school’s current functional capacity, the district will use Bond 2020 resources to create space for the combined student bodies. The larger enrollment will ensure a robust, well-resourced elementary school in the neighborhood. As a result, it is projected that there will be 806 students at Maverick if the initial recommendation is passed on Nov. 13. With Maverick receiving students from Baskin, more students and families will gain access to:

• Full-time elementary music and art teachers; and
• On-campus ESCE co-teach and ALE instruction.

Q: How is the district going to bankrupt when tax payers are paying there portion?
A: The school district does not receive additional funding as a result of an increase in property taxes. The reason is that the state of Texas determines the amount of funding that a school district should receive based on the “Foundation School Program” (FSP) methodology, which provides base funding per student and additional weighted funding per student being served in special programs or with specific needs. Once this funding amount is determined for a school district, the district’s tax collections are counted toward the amount needed, and the state will then provide any additional funding not covered by tax collections. Because of this, a school district’s funding does not increase when property tax values increase. A school district’s funding only increases if the state’s basic allotment or other components of the FSP methodology are changed. Read more about how school districts are financed here.

Q: The data shows that schools closings don't work without massive layoffs. You are not laying off teachers and counselors, so how will it help?
A: The primary goal of SAISD’s rightsizing effort is correcting current inequities in resources and services across the district that lead to some students being underserved. In SAISD right now, schools with lower enrollment do not generate enough funds from the state’s allotment per pupil and, therefore are not capable of offering many of the resources and services our students need. To better provide for our students, SAISD redirects funds from larger schools to supplement the budgets of these smaller campuses, but unfortunately, it is not enough, nor is it equitable. Through rightsizing SAISD hopes to create campuses that meet our students’ needs and enable all to thrive. 

Q: Why use more money to make Maverick larger?  Instead transfer students from Maverick to Baskin being that there is enough space.
A: Thank you for your suggestion. Please know that the threshold of 350 students for enrollment is still very small for a campus. The average enrollment for a thriving campus in Texas is about 545 students. Currently, Maverick’s facility usage is at 72 percent. By sending students to Baskin from Maverick we would create two small campuses which would struggle to meet student needs. Sending students to Maverick would create a robust campus with additional resources and services. 

Q: Will the cost of each rightsizing meeting be made public record.  How many ESSER dollars? How much overtime?  What was the cost to execute the rightsizing meetings?
A: As a public school district, our budget is a public record. Please know that the one-time cost of the Neighborhood Meetings could not correct the ongoing inequities with which our campuses and students struggle and which we hope to address through rightsizing. Transparency and informing our community of the process are fundamental obligations of the district, and the feedback we have received at our neighborhood and initial recommendation meetings is necessary to inform any decisions we make regarding our schools, students, and community.

Q: You let your consultant choose the schools to be closed, so what is your investment in our schools?  It seems you are going through the motions to hear our opinions/data. Your mind is clear, to close.
A: Please know that the rightsizing plan presented to the SAISD Board of Trustees on September 18 was a package of initial recommendations that could still change prior to the scheduled vote on November 13. The district and its trustees are currently reviewing and evaluating community feedback and suggestions as well as data and study results to inform their decisions. The initial recommendations were developed by district staff through the Study of School Building and Capacity, which applied the same three criteria to all campuses. SAISD also commissioned an equity study to ensure the criteria were applied fairly. For more information regarding the three criteria, how they were developed, the initial recommendations, and the equity study, we encourage you to visit the SAISD rightsizing website at www.saisd.net/rightsizing.

Q: What we do have work and have shown that we are very successful.  Why close a thriving and successful school?
A: Baskin meets two of the three primary criteria. It has low enrollment and Facility use. In addition, Baskin's enrollment has declined by more than 200 students in five years. If the initial recommendation is passed on Nov. 13, with Maverick receiving students from Baskin, more students and families will gain access to:

• Enhanced fine arts opportunities and full-time music and art teachers; and
• A more robust dual language program.

Q: Have you considered that families are leaving the district because of the talk of closures?
A: Thank you for your question. SAISD is proud of the education, supportive resources, extracurricular activities, and community we offer students and their families. We hope that our families will see these not just continue but improve through their more equitable distribution.

Q: Maverick and Bskin have two very different admins., as well as different cultures. One school is cold and unwelcoming, and the other is warm and inviting. How does the district plan to address this? 
A: SAISD has developed the Empower Plan – Students and Families to minimize student and family disruption and support campus culture. This plan outlines the supports that will be put into action if SAISD Board of Trustees votes to approve a rightsizing plan. Highlights of the plan include moving administrators, faculty, and staff with students to the maximum extent possible, communicating with families clearly, transparently and in a timely manner, and empowering families through voice and choice.  
Additionally, our Transition Teams will be working with closing and receiving campuses to ensure aspects of each school's unique culture and community are integrated into the newly configured campuses.     
Any decisions on school leadership haven’t been made. We are developing a process for determining campus leadership. That process will be announced on November 13 when the board votes on rightsizing recommendations. It is important to remember that we have leadership changes in our schools every year for various reasons – principals moving to other schools, retiring, or being promoted are just a few examples.

Q: Baskin has a higher STAAR rating. Maverick has a lower STAAR rating, how is Maverick allowed to stay open, when the current Administration at Baskin gets results. She should be the principal at Maverick.
A: Thank you for your question. Excluding all comprehensive high schools, all campuses across the district were evaluated for rightsizing using the same three criteria – enrollment, cost per student, and facility usage. These three criteria were developed from a study of school-building capacity and feedback from the community. Parents throughout the district overwhelmingly asked that standardized test scores not be a part of the evaluation process. Once initial recommendations were developed, the district conducted an equity audit to ensure that the three criteria were fairly applied to each campus. For more information regarding how the criteria were developed and applied, the initial recommendations, the equity audit, and the vote on November 13, visit www.saisd.net/rightisizing.
Any decisions on school leadership haven’t been made. We are developing a process for determining campus leadership. That process will be announced on November 13 when the board votes on rightsizing recommendations. It is important to remember that we have leadership changes in our schools every year for various reasons – principals moving to other schools, retiring, or being promoted are just a few examples.

Q: Safety is a huge concern at Maverick in portables.  SAISD could face a a lawsuit if anything were to happen to our kids since our safety concerns have been expressed and disregarded by the district.
A: Our goal is to ensure campus safety at all times and to retain a calm and productive learning environment for all students. Please be assured that we are and always will be vigilant to protect everyone in our care, and we act immediately to ensure everyone’s well-being. We have school safety protocols at each of our campuses, and this includes either the presence of officers in or around the buildings or on patrol in the neighborhood.

Q: Special education children, what's going to be their assigned campuses? Will the age group/grade levels of special education students be divided?
A: If the board passes the initial recommendation on Nov. 13, the units from the closing campus are projected to go to the campus that is designated to receive the majority of the students. Most special education services will have the same age bands as previously, with a few exceptions that are expected to have smaller grade bands. 

Q: What will happen to the facility if the doors are closed?
A: We have some high-level ideas of how we will use buildings and spaces to benefit our communities so that these facilities continue to contribute to a thriving community. However, we also believe that communities should have a say in what happens to a school site if the Board recommends a closure or consolidation. We will deeply engage the community to learn their vision for the best future use of a school property.

Q: If the new schools are currently at capacity what happens when you are bringing in additional students where you will place the incoming students.  Is there enough classrooms for students?
A: Data from the SAISD’s Study of School Building Capacity shows that, if all of the initial recommendations are approved by the board of trustees, the average class size within the district will be 22. This is would not be considered a large class, nor is it an increase over the current average class size. Data from the SAISD’s Study of School Building Capacity shows that, if all of the initial recommendations are approved by the board of trustees, the average class size within the district will be 22. This is would not be considered a large class, nor is it an increase over the current average class size.

Q: How are you saying there is not enough money to continue to fund these decliningenrollment schools but you just built a 30 million dollar building and parking garage in 2020?
A: Previously, SAISD Central Office employees were housed in several district buildings across the District, averaging 50 years in age. Since the transition to the Quincy consolidated facility, the District has generated approximately $1 million in annual operational savings as a result of the efficiencies. The construction was at no cost to taxpayers and was funded 100 percent through the previous sales of District real estate. Bexar County invested $17.2 million to construct a 600-space garage, which is operated and maintained by the County.