SAN ANTONIO — A host of issues with the South San ISD Board of Trustees cited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) over multiple years has led the agency to consider whether or not a Board of Managers will take the trustees' seats.
No decision was made in the first meeting on Monday, when the TEA held a community meeting regarding the issues. A resolution is not expected until early 2025.
Jake Kobersky, director of media relations for the TEA, told KENS 5 this meeting and a follow-up on Tuesday evening gives the community an opportunity to be informed on what is happening within the board.
"In September of 2023 the district was given one year to rectify their issues," Kobersky said.
Issues include and are not limited to negative board behavior, governance, overstepping and lack of engagement with the community from the board.
“The board was regularly in a systematic way violating their duties," Steve Lecholop
Deputy Commissioner of Governance for the TEA said.
Lcholop told KENS 5 the investigation into the board was opened in 2018 when multiple people in the community sent in complaints to the TEA.
The current superintendent of South San ISD, Henry Yzaguirre, had this to say Tuesday night after the community meeting:
"We’re going to respect the decision the agency decides to do and whatever they decide to do…everyone has a roll In that and the success of our students…we’re going to continue that and move on," Yzaguirre said.
If the TEA Comissioner decides to appoint a 'Board of Managers' the Superintendent position would also be up for grabs, meaning Yzaguirre would have to reapply.
A Board of Managers would serve at minimum two years.
Timeline of issues from TEA regarding South San ISD:
- 2018: TEA receives multiple complaints against South San Antonio ISD Board of Trustee members and district administrators.
- Sept. 30, 2021: The TEA found that the Board of Trustees operated outside of its authority and failed to collaborate with the Superintendent. To remedy these concerns the agency appointed Dr. Abe Saavedra as a monitor.
- Sept. 22, 2023: TEA and South San Antonio ISD execute an agreed order staying the placement of a Board for Managers for one year.
- Oct. 10, 2023: TEA Commissioner escalates monitor appointment to a conservator appointment per the executed agreement.
- November 2023 - August 2024: Conservator Saavedra monitors the Board’s performance and reports monthly on the effectiveness of the district.
- Fall 2024: TEA Commissioner reviews data on the school board and district to determine if a Board of Managers is needed.
The goal now is to allow the district to make improvements. The latest review from the TEA commissioner does not show improvements, hence the move to invite people to join the board of managers.
Anyone from the can join this board as long as they meet the requirements and the TEA is allowing people from the community to apply through Wednesday.
A second meeting will be held at the South San ISD Auditorium at 7535 Barlite Blvd. from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday.