Education
Biofest Days event reflects momentum in San Antonio’s bioscience industry
By Edmond Ortiz April means it is Fiesta season in San Antonio. But within San Antonio’s bioscience and healthcare communities, April also marks the return of an event designed to highlight industry capabilities, achievements and collaboration opportunities present locally and around the region. What is happening Biofest Days, organized by the nonprofit BioMedSA, has evolved…
Backlash continues following SAISD’s school closure, charter campus decisions
By Edmond Ortiz Residents and employees in San Antonio’s centermost school district remain critical of the school board’s decisions this week to close a West Side school, and to let a Colorado-based charter education organization take over three other West Side campuses. What is happening The San Antonio Independent School District board voted 5-2 March…
Investigations continue in Judson ISD but with some changes
By Edmond Ortiz Separate investigations of two Judson Independent School District trustees are allowed to proceed although the scope of one inquiry is being officially modified. What is happening Following a lengthy closed session in a March 19 special meeting, Judson ISD board voted 4-3 to uphold an investigation of allegations that board President Monica…
The Spurs and these San Antonio educators, innovators and musicians are taking part at SXSW
By Edmond Ortiz The San Antonio Spurs and a number of local educators and musicians are participating at this year’s South by Southwest conference in Austin. The education-centric portion of the event, called SXSW EDU, runs March 9-11 and includes a range of presentations, panel discussions and special events concentrated on the state of education….
Nearly all local school districts decline to allocate prayer time under new state law
By Edmond Ortiz Boerne Independent School District is one of only 15 Texas public school districts that are opting into a new state law that seeks to offer time for students and employees to pray on campus. What you should know More than 1,200 Texas public school districts and charters had until March 1 to…
Judson ISD to close 3 elementary schools to try and reduce budget deficit
By Edmond Ortiz Judson Independent School District will be closing Franz and Rolling Meadows elementary schools and Park Village Blended Learning Academy after the end of the current academic year. What you should know The Judson ISD school board voted 5-2 on Feb. 24 to approve administrators’ proposal to shutter those campuses; the vote comes…
Judson ISD board votes to close Judson Middle School; new interim superintendent chosen
By Edmond Ortiz The Judson Independent School District board, in separate votes Feb. 16, chose to close Judson Middle School and opted to pick a new interim superintendent, but the meeting included more heated exchanges between trustees and the removal of one board member from the session. School closure The Judson ISD board has recently…
Northeast Side school district to float $295M bond in May
By Edmond Ortiz Voters in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District will go to the polls May 2 to decide the fate of the district’s proposed $295.6 million bond. What you should know The school board voted unanimously Feb. 12 to call a May 2 election, where district voters will be asked to consider three…
Judson ISD trustees green-light investigations of 2 school board members
By Edmond Ortiz Trustees of a Northeast Side school district used a special Valentine’s Day meeting to authorize internal investigations into two school board members. What you should know The Judson Independent School District board unanimously approved beginning a formal investigation into two employees’ complaints filed against trustee Jose Macias. The board also voted 4-3…
Alamo Heights council OKs plans for 2 business buildings; gets briefed on school district’s redevelopment projects
By Edmond Ortiz Alamo Heights officials have green-lit planned improvements for two notable downtown commercial buildings, and receive an update on the local school district’s redevelopment program. City Council took action Feb. 9 on these issues, including passing a consent agenda addressing designs for upgrades and repairs at the former La Madeleine French Bakery and…