SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Education Agency is considering replacing the elected board of governors at South San Antonio ISD after years of keeping a close watch on the challenges the leaders have faced with the board and superintendents.
Here’s a timeline of what led to the possible decision:
- The problems extend as far back as 2016. Between February 2016 and January 2018, the TEA appointed a conservator for the district after it “failed to follow its corrective action plan following previous findings of non-compliance,” Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath said.
- In 2018, SSISD appointed Alexandro Flores as its superintendent.
- In 2019, the board made a controversial vote to reopen campuses that were closed years earlier to save money amid declining enrollment. The schools set to reopen were Athens Elementary, Kazen Middle School and West Campus High School.
- In September 2019, less than a year into the job, Flores resigned. Three other trustees announced their resignations that same day. The move came after months of contentious dialog between the board and Flores, which started with the reopening of the schools and the school’s financial troubles. A monitor placed by the TEA to oversee the board pointed out problems with how the board operated over the district staff.
- In June 2020 the school board hired Marc Puig as its newest superintendent. Puig was the seventh superintendent to serve the district in 10 years. Puig and the board battled over power struggles during his tenure.
- In 2021, the TEA appointed a monitor to oversee the district.
- In December 2021, Puig was placed on administrative leave following concerns about a private conversation when the mics were still open.
- At the end of 2021, Henry Yzaguirre was hired as interim superintendent.
- In June 2022, Puig voluntarily resigned after a board vote to fire him a month earlier. Yzaguirre was formally hired in the summer to be the permanent superintendent.
- In March 2023, the board voted to close Athens Elementary, Kindred Elementary and Kazen Middle School.
- In November 2023, SSAISD agreed to a one-year contract with the TEA following the results of a two-year investigation into the district. The 50-page report showed the board has systemic governing issues that led to operational problems in the district. The board was required to steer the district’s finances and academics in the right direction while also showing adult behavior in the boardroom. Former superintendent Abe Saavedra was placed as a conservator to oversee district operations.
- In December 2023, the board voted to also close West Campus High School, five years after it was reopened.
- In November 2024, Saavedra recommended to the TEA that the district board be replaced with a board of managers. In his letter to the TEA, he wrote that a board of managers would “facilitate a clean break from the governance failures that have persisted in South San Antonio ISD and facilitate an opportunity for the district to be governed by community members who can implement best practices and provide wise oversight and strong governance.” He cited many failures including lacking required training, board members not showing up for meetings and a lack of commitment to students.
- In December 2024, the TEA opened the application process to look for people to be placed on the board of managers. Two community meetings were also held to answer questions about the process. As of early December, 22 people had applied to be considered. A final decision will not be made until TEA Commissioner Mike Morath meets with current board leaders. Any decision by the TEA will be swift and will have the board of managers ready to take over. The takeover will be analyzed in two years and the assessment will be made to continue the TEA involvement or transition back to elected power. The revert to local power would be gradual and could take more than years.
WATCH BELOW: KSAT traveled to South San in September for an episode of “Know My Neighborhood.” Below, graduates explain why “Bobcat Pride” runs deep.