“I can’t believe with all you sitting here you could not put your heads together to come up with a plan that could save these schools,” Angelita Olvera said during South San ISD's community meeting Monday.
Angelita Olvera speaks to the South San ISD board during a special meeting at Alan B. Shepard Middle School on Monday regarding proposed solutions to address the district's $12 million budget deficit.The South San Independent School District is facing a $12 million budget deficit, and after two community meetings that included talk of closures and pay cuts, no consensus has been reached on how to cut spending.
Through a so-called 1882 partnership, the district also could collaborate with an outside organization, such as a nonprofit, charter school, or university, to run the day-to-day operations of the school. That option was also shrugged off by several trustees. In a series of presentations, district staff laid bare the reasons and the consequences of the current budget crisis, which South San has staved off in recent years with COVID-relief funding.
But enrollment has steadily declined since 2012 from around 10,000 to less than 8,000, leaving the reopened campuses severely underutilized, officials said. District 6 Trustee Cyndi Ramirez said her son was in the district at the time and saw it first hand — adding that she fears such a thing could happen again if the district rushes a decision without a proper plan.
The impacts of the financial crisis are already impacting students and staff across the district, officials said. Overall, salaries for teachers, custodians, food service workers and bus drivers in South San are also among the lowest in the region. The plan, which was provided to The San Antonio Report, includes downsizing the footprint of some campuses, transitioning to a more traditional employee insurance program and slightly increasing class sizes.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Harlandale ISD, grappling with enrollment declines, is talking school closuresSan Antonio’s Harlandale ISD, grappling with enrollment declines, is talking school closures
Read more »
MLB: No discipline for White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger after woman claimed physical, emotional abuseThe Chicago White Sox finalized a $12 million, one-year deal with Mike Clevinger in December.
Read more »
Jim Simons' RenTech fund once owned Tesla stock worth $12 billion todayJim Simons' RenTech first bet on Tesla a decade ago - and the fund once held a stake in Elon Musk's automaker worth $12 billion today
Read more »
CAL FIRE San Diego Sends Help to Residents Snowed-in Throughout San Bernardino MountainsThe Taylor family realized a little too late that their trip might turn into a longer stay — and not by choice.
Read more »
‘Our Students Need You’: Houston ISD Superintendent Gives State of Schools Address After Rumors Surface of TEA’s Possible TakeoverA possible state takeover has been looming for Texas' largest school district, Houston ISD.
Read more »