San Antonio ISD Advances $1.3 Billion Bond Projects at Edison High School
In 2020, voters in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) approved an impressive bond worth $1.3 billion aimed at enhancing educational facilities across the district. A significant portion of these funds is being allocated to Edison High School, a venerable institution that has served the community for nearly seven decades.
Key Renovations Funded by Voter Support
Among the advancements at Edison High are the construction of new baseball and softball fields, updates to classrooms, and the installation of a state-of-the-art heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Superintendent Jaime Aquino emphasized that these renovations are a direct result of taxpayer investment in education.
During a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the new sports fields, District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur spotlighted the urgency of reinvesting in public education, stating, “Investing in public education is the only way we’re going to make a San Antonio where everyone, regardless of what ZIP code you live in, has access to a great job and a great standard of living.”
Budget Constraints and Challenges Faced by SAISD
Despite the success of the 2020 bond, the district currently grapples with a substantial structural deficit of $51 million. This financial strain has compelled SAISD to make tough choices, including layoffs, the closure of under-enrolled schools, and the reduction of various programs.
While the bond enjoyed broad support—68.5% for $1.2 billion dedicated to renovations at 36 campuses and 70% for $90 million focused on technology upgrades—similar measures have faced challenges in other Texas districts. For example, recent bond proposals from East Central Independent School District were not met with voter approval.
Details of the Renovation Projects
Edison High School has received approximately $32.2 million from the 2020 bond and is part of the first phase of a multi-phase renovation strategy. Projects include a new library outfitted with student media labs, updated classrooms with modern furniture, and enhanced security measures.
The enhancements also feature upgraded HVAC systems, a critical investment given the district’s prior struggles with climate control in classrooms. In response to the persistent HVAC issues, which sometimes forced early school dismissals, Edison has been equipped with four new coolers to improve temperature regulation.
Future Proposals and Ongoing Needs
As the district looks ahead, East Central ISD is also forthcoming with a smaller bond request for the upcoming May municipal elections, aimed at overcoming its own $9 million deficit. Their proposed $308 million bond would lead to an increase in property taxes but promises the construction of three new schools.
Other educational institutions, like Alamo Colleges District and Floresville Independent School District, will be presenting bond proposals in these elections as well.
Liberty Swift, an Edison alumna and senior director of corporate communications for the San Antonio Spurs, echoed the sentiment regarding ongoing support for public schools, remarking, “We can’t overlook city schools just because we’re a new city. I can’t believe what these teachers and the advisors here did for me to set me up for success.”
Successful Implementation and Community Impact
SAISD officials have noted that taxpayers will not incur an increase in property taxes due to the 2020 bond, thanks to a combination of property improvements and the timing of low-interest bond issuance. Yvonne Little, the senior executive director of capital development and construction at SAISD, pointed out that construction progress encountered delays partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation-driven cost escalations.
With ongoing improvements expected, Edison High School stands as a testament to what can be achieved through community support and strategic planning. Superintendent Aquino remarked, “This bond is producing and delivering real results. Projects like Edison show what is possible when we put students first.”
