San Antonio City Council Education Committee Meeting - February 17, 2026

This meeting focused on the state of public education funding in Texas, the financial challenges facing local school districts, and potential areas for city-school district collaboration. Presentations were given by representatives from the Bexar County Education Coalition, superintendents from San Antonio ISD, and city officials.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of previous meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were recorded.

Discussion Items

• Presentation on School Finance: Julia (Bexar County Education Coalition) presented an overview of Texas school funding, highlighting that the basic allotment is $6,215 per student, leaving Texas ranked 10th lowest nationally. She noted that despite $33 billion in surplus in 2023 and $32 billion in 2024, the basic allotment has not kept pace with inflation, and that only a $55 increase was provided in the last session.
• Enrichment and Copper vs. Gold Pennies: Julia explained that "copper pennies" are recaptured by the state to equalize funding, while "gold pennies" allow wealthier districts to keep more revenue, creating inequities. Superintendents noted that most districts now use enrichment dollars just to cover special education funding gaps.
• Facilities and School Closures: Dr. Kino (SAISD) reported that the district has held 40 community meetings regarding potential school closures. He stated that the average age of school buildings is 68 years, far exceeding the intended 50-year lifespan, and that deferred maintenance could cost three-quarters of a billion dollars if not addressed within three years. Dr. Kino mentioned the district is now considering selling some properties to fund maintenance, despite earlier promises not to sell.
• Bond and Local Funding Options: Dr. Kino noted that a bond could only fund capital improvements, not preventative maintenance, and that a blue ribbon committee would be formed for the next bond package. He emphasized that increasing local funding through golden pennies would require voter approval.
• Public Safety and Radio Fees: Chief Craig Hubins (SAPD) and Assistant Chief Robert Land discussed a $22/month per radio fee for the city-county radio system, which schools are required to use. Council members questioned whether CPS Energy or the city could subsidize this cost for school districts, and the chief agreed to provide the total cost per school by the March meeting.
• Accountability System: Julia presented the state's A-F accountability system, criticizing its reliance on a single test day and the lack of data for two years due to litigation. She argued that these ratings do not reflect the depth of student needs, especially poverty and trauma.
• Student and Community Stressors: Dr. Cor (SAISD) highlighted that many students face food insecurity, housing instability, and trauma, and that teachers often lack stable housing. She urged the council to consider the impact of city policies and spending on schools.

Key Outcomes

• The committee agreed to request a detailed cost analysis from SAPD on radio fees and security personnel requirements for schools, with a report expected by the March meeting.
• Council members directed staff to explore creating a centralized dashboard showing investments (e.g., sidewalks, health metrics) around schools and to improve cross-departmental communication between the city and school districts.
• Council members expressed support for working with SAISD on redeveloping surplus school properties for mixed-use or multifamily housing, and for exploring public transit partnerships to address transportation gaps.
• The committee committed to prioritizing public education funding in the upcoming 90th legislative session, including advocating for increased basic allotment and opposing voucher programs.