San Antonio Education Opportunities Committee Meeting - May 19, 2026

The Education Opportunities Committee of the San Antonio City Council met on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 9:59 a.m. to 11:56 a.m., chaired by Councilmember Galván. The meeting focused on the impact of charter school growth on traditional public schools, public testimony from parents, educators, and charter school representatives, and a presentation on school-based health centers by University Health. No formal votes were taken on the substantive discussion items.

Consent Calendar

• The committee approved the prior meeting's minutes unanimously by voice vote, with no amendments or abstentions.

Public Comments & Testimony

(Note: The meeting was conducted bilingually in Spanish and English; speakers are summarized based on the transcript.)

• Andia Arismendi, senior director from a charter school operator, shared that her organization has opened 17,000 school seats across three campuses, with 100% of families living in San Antonio. She highlighted superior math and reading performance (24 points higher in reading) and noted that 36% of students are English language learners.
• Kissy Thomas, a District 2 resident with students in both charter and traditional public schools, expressed that education provides equality and opportunity for disadvantaged communities. She urged the committee to focus on serving children, not protecting systems.
• Megan Garza, a charter school representative, described serving a diverse population (80% economically disadvantaged, 45% emerging English learners, 20% Section 504). Her schools aim for college readiness with 91% enrolling in college. She called for collaboration rather than a school-type conflict.
• Emotionally Franklin (name likely transcribed inaccurately), a mother and education policy consultant, argued that families leave traditional schools for good reason; the debate should focus on what works for students. She urged the committee to examine why families are leaving and to replicate successful practices.
• Elisa Farini, a student who attended traditional public and home schools, said that while she respects educators and leaders, decision-makers often do not understand student experiences. She called for systems that serve students physically and emotionally, not division.
• Lori Álvarez, a District 2 resident and special education commission counselor, detailed her daughters' experiences in both traditional and charter schools. She argued that a one-size-fits-all approach fails, citing math proficiency rates (65% at a charter serving low-income families vs. much lower at some traditional schools). She requested collaboration and expanded models to reduce waitlists.
• Shannon Tolen Blackman, a public school leader serving Districts 1, 5, and charter schools, expressed pride in serving low-income populations (97% economically disadvantaged, 14% special education). She noted that two of her campuses will close at the end of the school year. She invited councilmembers to visit campuses and warned against passing resolutions that exclude 45,000 charter students from consideration.
• Erlinda Águila, a bilingual educator and District 1 resident with children in a charter school, advocated for families seeking high-quality education and urged the committee not to reduce opportunities. She stressed the need to uplift teachers and students at all levels.
• Lauren Luis, superintendent of a charter school in District 5, noted that her school serves 90% economically disadvantaged students and achieves grade-level reading for 51% (compared to 30% in the district). She shared her personal story of having to transfer legal guardianship to access a better school. She called for including charter leaders in city education initiatives.
• Ayana Lambert, executive director of an organization and former San Antonio ISD teacher, requested balanced metrics and annual performance data on all schools. She said families deserve dignity and choice, not a predetermined agenda.
• Mr. Tijerina, a Southside resident and school board president, highlighted San Antonio's dynamic education ecosystem and called for a collaborative table where all schools share resources. He noted that technology and AI are changing education and urged focus on students, not institutions.
• Gaby Patten, a District 4 resident, Teach for America alumna, and campus director, described severe impacts from federal funding cuts, a deficit of 200 students at her school, and the absorption of students from closed traditional schools. She asked the committee to work together on literacy and school support.
• Inge Cotton, founder of a school network, stated that all schools are now competing for enrollment and that families should have prosperity. She encouraged the committee to focus on student-centered innovation.
• Ismail Morales, a district resident, shared his experience with lack of diagnostics in his schooling and how a charter school option opened opportunities for university and master's degrees.
• A subsequent speaker (not named in transcript) introduced herself as a 25-year educator, 10 years in ISD, and co-founder of a charter school. She thanked the council for leading critical conversations. She warned that vouchers include unlimited charter expansion and that the legislature creates three parallel school systems with unequal rules (e.g., ISDs require voter-approved bonds for facilities, charters do not).
• Another speaker (likely from the same group) noted that since working on these policies in 2012, she found that charter growth is nearly 300% and that many charter schools serve fewer special education students, while some with high ratings may have no SPED students at all. She emphasized the need for transparent, fact-based decision-making regarding charter approvals, which are handled without public notice or school district input. She provided data: Texas needs $1,300 more per student just to reach 2019 funding levels, and ISDs face a $500 million annual gap compared to charters. She recommended public notice for charter expansions and inclusion of educators in decision-making.

Discussion Items

Agenda Item 2: Impact of Charter School Expansion on Traditional Public Schools

Following public testimony, committee members discussed the complex landscape:

• The committee chair noted that the dialogue is critical because many issues relate to state policy, and it is important to see the impact on local school districts and student choice.
• Councilmember Monguilla (or Mungía) thanked all public speakers. He shared that he served on a school board for seven years and dreamed of an annual assembly where all school types share information. He noted that charter schools were once not required to have certified teachers, but some now do. He called for transparency, especially since ISDs must publish everything while charters have no similar obligation. He stressed that funding formulas are unequal and that school closures can devastate communities.
• Councilmember Miki Rodríguez outlined possible next steps (slide 13): the committee can support public schools through a state legislative agenda and identify ways to strengthen them. He expressed frustration that education in Texas has become overly political, citing his own experience as a teacher when 15-20 students were sent back from a charter school because they did not meet expectations. He reiterated that families should not be blamed for choosing options, but that the state is underfunding ISDs while investing in charters, making it hard for traditional schools to succeed. He emphasized that all schools, especially public ones, must be successful because they educate the majority of children. He called for a unified legislative push.
• One councilmember (likely a follow-up from the chair) added that she does not blame parents; the system creates different rules, allowing some schools to pick students while others must serve everyone, including those coming from jail or with severe special education needs. She urged that families have choices but that the state should not create escape routes for some while leaving the most difficult-to-educate children behind.

Agenda Item 3: School-Based Health Centers – University Health Presentation

Valerie Maldonado, director of school-based health centers and mobile clinics, and Dr. Michelle Rodríguez, medical director, presented:

• University Health began school-based clinics in 2013 with Harlandale ISD. Clinics serve pediatric and adult patients (students, staff, families) with immunizations, physicals, well-child checks, and chronic disease management. In 2025, there were 18,000 visits.
• Seven clinic locations exist in multiple school districts (Harlandale, South San, Southwest, SAISD, North East, Judson, and South San). The map shows clinics concentrated in the west and south, with new clinics in the east seeing patient growth.
• Payor mix: mostly Medicaid, then commercial, and a significant portion uninsured (pay out of pocket or attempt CareLink). Staff also use the clinics.
• Age distribution: highest for 5–18-year-olds, then under 5, then adults. Immunizations account for 18% of visits. Many visits are for sports physicals and annual checkups.
• Mobile clinics (buses) provide immunizations and mammography in communities and workplaces.
• Educational partnerships: the program collaborates with nursing schools to educate future health leaders, and with diabetes educators to share knowledge.
• Councilmembers thanked the presenters and noted the importance of integrating health services into communities, reaching parents and grandparents.

Key Outcomes

• The committee agreed to continue the conversation on the impact of charter school growth and public school funding as part of a larger state legislative agenda.
• No formal votes were taken on policy or resolutions. Councilmember Rodríguez identified next steps, including developing a legislative agenda to support public schools.
• The committee received information but took no action on the school health centers presentation.
• The meeting adjourned at 11:56 a.m.