SAN ANTONIO — Harlandale ISD is considering repurposing five schools. It's a shift parents are struggling to get behind.
“I went to Vestal, which is one of the schools looking to be closed,” said Rebecca Martinez, a concerned Harlandale ISD parent.
San Antonio’s Harlandale ISD has 13 elementary schools. Some have served students for generations.
“I went to Vestal,” said Martinez. “My mom went to vestal and now my kids go to Vestal.”
Martinez is a parent volunteer at Vestal Elementary. She was shocked to learn the rebuilt elementary is one of four campuses district officials are considering repurposing. Which means next year, this building would serve career tech students. And elementary students will need to go elsewhere.
“It’s only been open for four years,” said Martinez. “So it was rough to hear that a brand new, all the money that was spent into building it is going to end up shut.”
The district’s enrollment has declined more than 25% since 2015. Superintendent Gerardo Soto says the only alternative to consolidation is layoffs.
“If we don’t do all four, there’s gonna have to be a staff reduction in January 2024,” Soto said.
According to the TEA teacher vacancy report, raises for teachers and increasing school districts allotment per student should be a priority to keep Texas educators.
“The basic allotment is $6,160,” Soto said. “Right now it’s in session to see if that numbers going to go up.”
Texas ranks 28th in the nation for teacher pay. According to the National Education Association, that’s $7,600 less than the national average. The effects of the nationwide teacher shortage are also being felt in Harlandale ISD.
“We’ve had over 55 teacher vacancies the entire year,” Soto said. “There’s been some classes that have had long-term subs for close to two years.”
That combined with fewer students has district leader desperate for a solution. Harlandale ISD has a $12 million budget deficit this school year. They expect losing another 3,100 kids by 2031. But this consolidation plan isn’t convincing parents it will truly address low attendance rates.
“Are they just saying that so teachers feel comfortable moving on with this change?” questioned Judith Mares, a concerned Harlandale ISD parent. “I can say we’re going to hire more teachers if we need it. What’s going to be the process? How long will it be? How many students would have fallen through the cracks before they actually get the help that they need?”
The district’s funding from the state is directly tied to enrollment and low average attendance. Rebecca’s concerned shifting students and teachers could have a negative impact in the long run.
“Hopefully we get enough parents that come out that are concerned about the children’s education,” said Martinez. “See if we don’t keep it open.”