SAN ANTONIO — Mariachi Los Tigres is a program that mariachi teacher Augustine Ortiz envisioned 12 years ago. 

Ortiz teaches at San Antonio ISD’s Poe Dual-Language academy — a district he grew up in and where mariachi education started. 

“To show them their first note, how to hold the instrument, you get to give them a sense of culture that they wouldn’t normally get anywhere else,” Ortiz said. 

Ortiz’s program was in danger of getting shut down by the summer. He was even told his position had been cut. It was later reinstated.

All of this comes as enrollment at the SAISD declines. Fifteen schools are slated to close and district leaders are working to determine how many employees are really needed at each school.  

“You feel a sense of betrayal. Not to our district because our district is doing the best that they can. I feel a sense of betrayal from people that represent us, from the state,” Ortiz said. 

Districts across the state are feeling the pinch. State funding per pupil hasn’t increased since 2019. That's forcing other school districts, such as Fort Worth ISD and Keller ISD, to cut programs and displace teachers. 

SAISD Superintendent Dr. Jaime Aquino could not go on camera, but the district did provide a video statement about finding balance. 

“Some principals may have requested additional allocations beyond their given budgets and we are assessing these requests as promptly as possible,” Aquino said. 

That was the case for Ortiz a week after he initially spoke with Spectrum News 1.

“I saw our principal standing there, and she tells me, ‘I sent your numbers to get the allocation and we got it, you had the numbers we just needed the additional allocation,’” Ortiz said. 

He felt a sense of relief, but says he can’t stop thinking the teachers who are still being displaced. 

“I know they are going through the exact same thing I was going through. You feel depression, anxiety, you feel unsure of things, you know your life’s about to change dramatically,” Ortiz said.