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.