SAN ANTONIO — While South San Antonio ISD continues to grapple with a budget deficit spurred by years of declining enrollment, the district is now considering laying off more than a dozen employees as another way to save money.
The South San ISD Board of Trustees voted 6-0 Wednesday to approve a resolution to declare a financial exigency, which legally paves the way for Superintendent Henry Yzaguirre to move forward with a Reduction in Force (RIF) plan.
“At this particular time we are about 20 teachers and two administrators over where we need to be to be efficient. Historically, we normally get about 40-45 either retirees or resignations come in to replace at the secondary level,” Yzaguirre said.
Yzaguirre stressed layoffs would not impact elementary school personnel.
“I want to be clear that making my recommendation of declaring a financial exigency is our last opportunity should we not be able to place all staff that might be displaced with the consolidation of West Campus and South San High School,” Yzaguirre said.
Tom Cummins, executive director of the South San American Federation of Teachers, said the district’s move is premature and other options should be considered.
“A great deal of stress and anxiety has been created which we think we can work through,” Cummins said.
Cummins sent a letter to the South San ISD school board on Tuesday expressing opposition to the RIF.
“If the district does need to reduce the number of teachers, that should be taken care of by the usual number of retirements and those leaving the district for various reasons. There is a teacher shortage, and South San has vacancies that are being filled by low-pay substitutes, as well as the new category of teacher called the 'temporary teacher,' even though there does not appear to be anything temporary with them, as they have been working for months now,” Cummins stated in the letter.
The financially struggling school district is contending with a $9.5 million deficit following more than five years of declining student enrollment.
The district voted to close four schools in 2023, including West Campus High School in December.
Cummins said district administration should apply for additional federal grants and wait to see if Gov. Greg Abbott calls another special legislative session that may lead to the passage of school funding bills.
“Whether vouchers passes or not, it’s going to be critical to pass a budget for public education for implementation in the fall,” Cummins said.
To compete with charter schools, Cummins believes the district should focus a bulk of its efforts on student recruitment programs due to the plummeting enrollment that’s led to loss in revenue.
“South San AFT has been suggesting recruitment programs since 2016 to no avail. Our union has ideas regarding recruitment of students and would like to work with the district to implement an active recruitment program,” Cummins said in the letter.
If layoffs do occur, the superintendent would make recommendations before the board of trustees before the start of next academic school year.
“We’re confident we’ll have the opportunity to place all staff in a position, or a comparable position to what they’re in at this particular time,” Yzaguirre said.