SWISD November Board Report
November 28, 2023
NOVEMBER 28 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
New Campus Name Announced: Juan M. Alvarado Elementary School
The District is projected to open the new elementary in the spring of 2026.
During this month's board meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the naming of the district's 12th elementary campus as the “Juan M. Alvarado Elementary School.” This recognition pays homage to the exceptional service and enduring commitment of Juan Alvarado, a beloved figure in the Southwest ISD community. Dr. Ball recognized Mr. Alvarado's contributions over the years with the message below before the Board voted to approved the name of the school.
"Juan Alvarado, a great pillar of our Southwest ISD community. For nearly five decades, Mr. Alvarado has been a steady advocate for our students, teachers, and the betterment of our District.
Mr. Alvarado's journey of service began with a sharp observation and a commitment to excellence. His dedication to improving the learning environment for our children was evident from the beginning. When faced with a neglected cafeteria emitting unpleasant odors, he fearlessly spoke up and took action, initiating a series of transformative changes that would shape the trajectory of his service to our community.
As a member of the PTA, Mr. Alvarado demonstrated exceptional leadership by rallying parents and organizing fundraisers to ensure our teachers had essential resources, such as fans for classrooms in the absence of air conditioning. He was also among the first to advocate for a stipend for Bilingual teachers. His tireless efforts did not stop there; they propelled him into the role of PTA president, where he continued to amplify the voices of our community members.
Breaking barriers, Mr. Alvarado became the first Hispanic member of the Southwest ISD Board of Trustees. This milestone was not without challenges. Despite facing threats and isolation, Mr. Alvarado remained resolute in his mission to serve our district's children. His unyielding dedication to their well-being and educational advancement remained his guiding principle, unfazed by adversity.
His daughter, Cynthia, encountered the repercussions of his courageous stance when she received a call threatening his life if he did not resign from the Board. These threats against their family only strengthened Mr. Alvarado's resolve, emphasizing the sacrifices made to pursue a better future for our students.
During Alvarado's time on the board, he strongly advocated for equitable opportunities for every student and improved working conditions for educators. His vision and determination laid the groundwork for positive change, ensuring our district's growth and success. He was instrumental in starting the district-wide Mariachi program at SWISD. He believed music was a great way for our young people and families to honor their heritage. He didn't stop until we launched the Mariachi program at SWISD, starting from just one middle school and growing into one of the district's most beloved programs.
His presence and volunteer work over the last 50 years define the person he is and remains today. Although he no longer serves the district in an official capacity, Mr. Alvarado continues to actively support our students and educators. You can often spot him attending events and games, showing his ongoing dedication to our community.
Today, we stand in gratitude for Mr. Alvarado's invaluable contributions. It is befitting to honor his legacy by naming our 12th elementary campus the "Juan M. Alvarado Elementary School." This decision demonstrates our enduring respect and admiration for a man whose life's work has profoundly impacted generations of students and educators."
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
The Student of the Month for Hidden Cove STEAM Academy is Nathaniel Orduna. He has exhibited a fantastic transformation with his effort in behavior and within his classwork since last school year. He has shown his dedication to wanting to learn within the classroom, and he is learning to advocate for himself. He knows where he is academically and where he needs to get to succeed. He has learned to be self-aware of the areas he needs to grow in and makes consistent attempts to improve in those areas, even when it goes against the choices of his peers. When Nathaniel is around, he always tries to put a smile on your face or make you laugh. He is excited to know he will be able to play football for the Dragons in the near future and knows his education has to be put first to achieve this goal. Those who have known Nathaniel these past few years know he is making wiser choices for himself and should be recognized for his efforts. He isn't letting anything get in his way of staying on the right path this year.
Giselle Rodriguez, who was not able to attend the board meeting, is the Student of the Month for Resnik Middle School. She is the definition of a role model here at Resnik. In the first 9 weeks, she held an average of 98%. She is constantly focused, actively participating, and advocates for her learning during class. What I love about Giselle is that she doesn't focus on being the best or getting the highest grades. She focuses on her peers. She quickly drops what she is doing to lend others a hand without hesitation. In the hallways, when you see her, you can sense the excitement she has being at school. Not only is she focused academically, but she is also involved in sports, theater, and mariachi. Giselle is a student who inspires daily and is a perfect candidate for the Board to recognize. Giselle is a dedicated student who loves learning. She excels in each of her classes, and she participates in extracurricular activities. Each day, Giselle brings a learning attitude to class. Keep up the amazing effort, Giselle!
It is with great honor that SW Legacy High School recognizes senior Mia Sandoval. Mia is a proud member of the SW Legacy Varsity Soccer team and a member of our CTE medical pathway. Mia is the definition of resilience. She can withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. Mia is a model student, always maintaining good grades while working on the weekends. Mia has a great attitude and maintains a “can-do” mindset through every situation. She is a gift to have at Southwest Legacy. We are very proud of her and know she will continue to do amazing things in the future. Way to go, Mia!
SWISD Warrior Program
The SWISD Warrior Program, recently honored as an Outstanding Cultural Initiative at this year's MASBA conference encourages students to embody SWISD's core values of Service, Growth, and Results. From its beginnings in the 2016-2017 school year, with 17 students earning Warrior status, the program has grown to 639 students choosing to participate in the 2022-2023 academic year across six secondary campuses. Not only has the program recognized and rewarded academic achievements, participation, community service, and personal growth, but it has also secured more than $62,750 in scholarships from the Friends of SWISD Golf Tournament and other donors. Current results for this academic year showcase the program's profound impact, with nearly 1,500 service hours, a 50% reduction in the failure rate compared to the previous year, and an impressive 550+ students achieving Warrior status in the first grading period. The Warrior program demonstrates SWISD's dedication to promoting a diverse, inclusive, and thriving educational environment. On behalf of all the coaches who lead the SWISD Warrior program, Athletic Director Peter Wagner and Assistant Athletic Director Sandra Hernandez accepted this recognition at the board meeting.
Blue Santa Parade & Festival
Details of the Blue Santa Parade and Festival were presented to the Board. On December 9, 2023, Blue Santa will ring in the holiday season when he arrives in the SAPD Blue Eagle helicopter at Miller’s Pond Community Center. Blue Santa will then lead a parade of City of San Antonio officials, Bexar County officials, special guests, community and school district representatives, and organizations through the SWISD neighborhood for approximately 2.5 miles and join the holiday celebration at Millers Pond Community Center. Winners of the Blue Santa Art Contest were recognized. See the list below.
Age Category: 12-14
First - Ariana Zoe Guerrero
Second - Jazlyn Lopez
Third - Cassandra Davisson
Honorable Mention - Aliyah Martinez
Age Category: 10 - 11
First - Zoe M Serrano
Second - Abrianna Jimenez
Third - Fabian Alvarez
Honorable Mention - Andrea Huerta
Age Category: Elementary
First - Eli Duarte
Second - Edward Rosales
Third - Mallorie Joe Luna
Honorable Mention - Nicole Wheeler
Presentations
Construction Update
A representative from RVK Architecture presented designs for the new Central Office/Professional Development Center. The new building will include more conference rooms, office spaces and parking.
Safety and Security Risk Assessment
Mark Figueroa, Executive Director of Safety & Security, gave a presentation on M6 Global Defense, which is recommended for a thorough district-wide safety and security risk assessment. The goal is to evaluate our existing safety and security program and aid District staff in selecting sustainable security technology for the long term.
Items Approved
Schematic Design for Central Office/Professional Development Center
The Board approved the Schematic Design drawings that were presented by RVK Architecture. The budget for this project is approximately 18,000,000. The cost of this project will be funded by 2023 Bond funds.
Construction Delivery Method for the New Elementary #12 Project
The Board approved the Construction Manager at Risk method as the delivery method for Southwest ISD Elementary #12 project. The District, along with Marmon Mok, believe that the Construction Manager at Risk delivery method will provide the best value for the District. This method is based on the selected General Contractor being an active with the architect throughout the planning and design phase. The estimated budget for this project is approximately $39,900,000 and will be funded by the 2023 Bond.
Construction Delivery Method for the Kriewald Road School of the Arts Renovation Project
The Board approved the Construction Manager at Risk method as the delivery method for Kriewald Road School of the Arts Renovation project.The District, along with Huckabee, believe that the Construction Manager at Risk delivery method will provide the best value for the District. This method is based on the selected General Contractor being an active participant with the Architect throughout the planning and design phase. The estimated budget for this project is approximately $18,000,000 and will be funded by the 2023 Bond.
Additional Stipends for 2023-2024 District Compensation Plan
The Board approved additional stipends for the 2023-24 Compensation Plan. Market trends were used to determine stipends. Incentive pay was determined based on the needs of the department.
Southwest Independent School District
Website: www.swisd.net
Location: Southwest Independent School District, TX, USA
Phone: 210-622-4300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWISDsatx
Twitter: @swisd