By Edmond Ortiz
The superintendent of a South Side school district is leaving her post, and one local school district is scheduling a critical election this fall.
Plus, a Midtown school district is wrapping up major construction work at its lone high school in time for the start of a new academic year.
Southwest ISD’s superintendent departs
Southwest Independent School District trustees voted Aug. 5 to accept the resignation of Superintendent Jeanette Ball, who was still under contract to serve as the district’s top appointed leader through June 30, 2027.
Ball, who began working as SWISD’s superintendent in early 2023, guided the implementation of $200 million-plus in construction of new schools and upgrades at existing campuses. She also oversaw the district improving its state academic ratings.
Ball is staying on as superintendent emeritus to accommodate the transition of Deputy Superintendent Brandon Crisp as interim superintendent.
Crisp has spent 17 years with Southwest ISD, starting as a teacher and coach, and then taking on administrative positions. .
“I am honored to serve Southwest ISD in this capacity,” Crisp said in a statement. “Our priority remains creating an excellent learning environment and supporting our educators, staff and families.”
Comal ISD sets $567M bond election
Comal Independent School District trustees voted Aug. 4 to call a $567 million bond election for Nov. 3.
Voters will weigh two propositions at the ballot box. Proposition A contains $539.9 million for the construction of two elementary schools along Interstate 35 near New Braunfels, the purchase of land for future school sites, school bus replacements, districtwide safety and security improvements, the addition of energy-efficiencies, and upgrades to HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems and roofs.
Proposition A money would also support extra instructional space at Canyon High School, a multipurpose addition at Davenport High School, Career and Technical Education spaces and other campus improvements districtwide. Proposition B would provide $27 million districtwide technology upgrades.
Comal ISD officials said they have enough bonding capacity within the district’s property tax rate that there is no need for a tax increase, despite state-mandated language on the ballot saying there is a hike.
CISD officials said more bond-funded improvements such as new schools are needed to serve a growing school district that added 10,000 students over the past 10 years, and is projected to hit 40,000 student enrollment by 2035.
Comal Forward, a community planning committee made up of more than 60 parents, taxpayers, retirees, business owners and community members, came up with the proposed bond projects. “Our community continues to grow, and that growth affects schools throughout the district,” Superintendent Dr. John Chapman said in a statement.
“This proposal reflects the work of community members who carefully reviewed our needs and helped identify priorities related to safety, existing facilities, student capacity and technology. “
Main improvements conclude at Alamo Heights High School
The beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year marks the end of academic-related construction at Alamo Heights High School.
Bond-funded improvements started at the high school two years ago, and include new academic and administrative buildings, the conversion of the old administrative space into the Excel Academy, a new courtyard, other campus renovations, and additional parking spaces.
Contractors recently moved onto preparations to build a new AHISD central office and a district community center on the high school campus.
Elsewhere in AHISD, bond-funded upgrades continue at Alamo Heights Junior School and Cambridge Elementary School, and construction work is being completed at Woodridge Elementary School.
