SAN ANTONIO — Following Superintendent Sean Maika’s recommendation to close three schools, parents in the North East Independent School District are seeking answers.
“We can’t feasibly come up with our feedback without answers to these questions,” parent Jacqueline Hinojosa said.
On Feb. 10, the board will decide whether or not to close the schools.
“It’s less than two months for them to decide the fate of the schools — it’s too rushed,” Hinojosa said.
Maika attributes the closure recommendation to the 2023 school board vote granting teacher raises.
“I explained then, if they approved it, we did not have the money to do it. That would have to make tough decisions moving forward,” Maika said.
Maika stated that his district needs yearly budget cuts of $10 million to deal with a $38 million shortfall.
“Because I cannot and I will not put this district into a place where our Texas Education Agency thinks they can take it over,” Maika said.
Similar to other school district leaders in the state, he believes that closing schools with declining enrollment is the answer. Last year, 18 schools in three San Antonio school districts closed.
NEISD is San Antonio’s second largest school district, and over the last 10 years, it saw an 11,000-student enrollment decrease.
“Part of it due to cost of living is northeast and those homes you are going get. Our median home prices is about a little over $360,000,” Maika said.
Hinojosa points to the growth shown by new subdivisions being built in her neighborhood.
“We are seeing a lot more kids in the neighborhood that was considered an ‘older neighborhood,’” Hinojosa said.
Maika noted growth while highlighting increased school options for families, such as charter schools.
Families in Texas may soon have more options as school vouchers will be a priority in the 89th legislative session.
Vouchers enable families to use public school funds for private school education.
“I cannot control what the Legislature is or isn’t going to do. They had tremendous pressure in the 88th session to do something for public education and they gave us nothing,” Maika said.
Other than the student school transfer option, Maika didn’t address plans for adaptation.
Hinojosa feels families must know in order to prepare.
“Do our kids have school choice priority? The whole concept of transportation is another issue,” Hinojosa said.
They hope this question is answered before tough decisions are made.
