Northside Independent School District is facing a $35 million budget deficit. But, that’s down significantly from when it once neared $108 million.
Read full article: Footage, new records show what led to ICE shooting a San Antonio man in South Padre Island last year San Antonio City Council looks to zoning to manage data center growthSAPD officer honored for rushing wounded officer to hospital during Stone Oak shooting– Northside Independent School District is facing a $35 million budget deficit.
But, that’s down significantly from when it once neared $108 million. The school board has addressed roughly $70 million worth of debt without school closures, and it’s aiming to balance the books next year. Northside ISD is the largest school district in the San Antonio area, with roughly 98,000 students, towering over North East ISD, San Antonio ISD and Judson ISD.While school closures are not off the table, Northside ISD Superintendent John M. Craft said they are not the district’s immediate focus in addressing the budget shortfall. “Yes, we’re looking at potentially consolidations or potential closures but that’s not what’s driving the conversation,” Craft said. “I don’t foresee it happening going into the 26-27 school year ... We can really make reductions through attrition as we have this year.” Northside ISD said they are heading into budget discussions with an unclear picture, however, as it still does not know how many students it will serve next year. That directly impacts how much state funding it will receive. “We have vouchers on the horizon of being implemented to start next school year,” Craft said, “so we anticipate that we’re gonna be able to make even further reductions without really impacting academic programs in particular and having to reduce staff, commonly known as school vouchers, allows state money to follow students to private or home schools. The program has raised concerns among public school leadership. “A billion dollars went to this program that could have gone to help support and fund public education,” Craft said. The online questionnaire asks parents and community members to weigh in on what they believe defines a thriving school and which programs they value most. “We want to hear from our community, our parents in particular, students,” Craft said. “What programs are really thriving? What programs are you interested in for potential expansion?”They expect to chip away further at the remaining $35 million deficit largely through attrition, meaning through retirements and staff who leave on their own, rather than layoffs. KSAT is following discussions around San Antonio about school closures and changes brought by Texas Education Freedom Accounts. Read more of our reporting below:‘I don’t think I can handle it’: Families leave Judson ISD board meeting in tears after school closures announcedWhat you need to know about Texas Education Freedom Accounts, the foundation of the state’s new school choice lawZaria Oates is a news reporter for KSAT 12. She joined in June 2024 from Memphis, where she worked at ABC24. Oates graduated from Clemens High School in Schertz and earned a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. She's passionate about learning, traveling and storytelling.When will construction on South Alamo Street close?Baptist Health System’s hybrid operating room credited with saving 82-year-old patient’s lifeElection Update on US Rep. Dist. 21New $185 million luxury Hemisfair hotel opens its doorsSan Antonio blood donations needed after Austin mass shooting impacts inventoryWar in Middle East leaves San Antonio family trapped in Israel
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