Southwest ISD Board Update
June
JUNE 21 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Palo Alto College’s Vice President for Student Success, Mr. Gil Becerra, presented awards to the Southwest ISD in recognition of AlamoPROMISE Save Your Seat completion. Over the past several years, SWISD has had the chance to partner with Palo Alto College on the AlamoPROMISE Program. This program allows our graduating seniors to attend Palo Alto for six consecutive semesters or until they obtain their Associates Degree. The program covers tuition and fees for all of our qualifying students. The award recognizes all three high schools on their AlamoPROMISE Save Your Seat completion. Southwest High School had a completion rate of 92%, Southwest Legacy High School had a completion rate of 97%, and CAST STEM High School had a completion rate of 100%. Mr. Becerra presented the awards to the District and principals from each high school.
Presentations
Construction Update
The Board was briefed on construction projects around the District including the SWISD Aquatics Center. Crews are finalizing installing the roof and have begun filling the pool. The SWISD Aquatic Center is slated to open its doors August 5.
2022 District Demographic Study
A representative with School District Strategies presented data from a demographics study of the human population within Southwest ISD. The study informed the Board on the size, structure, and movements of the Southwest community and will help with the long-term planning of the District.
Key Highlights:
- As of the 2020 Census, the district’s overall population was 67,206 with 20,314 total households (HH)
- SWISD’s overall population grew by 30% and the total number of HH’s increased by 44% from 2010-2020
- Southwest ISD currently has the 7th largest total enrollment among all the Greater San Antonio school districts
- Demand for new homes in the district began to surge in 2021 and has continued during 1Q 2022
- New homebuilders started a record 1,321 new homes from 2Q21-1Q22, and closings climbed to the highest level in more than 10 years at 750 homes
- If a high rate of growth occurs the district could see enrollment surpass 16,000 by 2031
- If the moderate-to-high rate of growth occurs, Spicewood Park, Southwest, and Sun Valley Elementary are projected to reach capacity in 3-4 years
Items Approved
The Board approved the submission of the ESSER II & ESSER III Grant amendments for the 2022-2023 school year. As a part of the American Rescue Plan, ESSER (Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief) II and ESSER III Grant funds were allocated to Southwest ISD. The intent of these funds is to address the identified needs to reopen schools safely, sustain safe operations, address social emotional needs, and address learning loss due to COVID-19. Input from a community survey was also taken into consideration. The district held three public meetings to discuss the uses of ESSER funds with parents, the community, and staff members. The district’s plan for the ESSER II and ESSER III Grant amendments is posted online. The District will receive $14,664,502 in ESSER II funds and $32,945,029 in ESSER III funds.
ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application
The Board approved the submission of the ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Consolidated Federal Grant application for the 2022-2023 school year. The application contains the Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV grants for Southwest ISD. The intent of these funds are to provide funding in order to address needs for student achievement, professional learning for teachers & administrators, addressing needs of English Learners, migrant education, and well-rounded education. The new district plan for the ESSA Grant has been presented and approved at the District Improvement Team meeting, and parents were included in three public meetings in May. District will receive $4,498,408 in ESSA - Title I (Part A), $36,942 in Title I (Part C, Migrant), $576,281 in Title II (Part A), $235,319 in Title III (Part A), and $311,592 in Title IV, Part A.
Kriewald Road School of the Arts Budget
Trustees approved the funding for Kriewald Road Elementary in the amount of $200,000 for future purchases of equipment, supplies, and furniture. Kriewald Road Elementary is transitioning to a fine arts school (Kriewald Road School of the Arts). The funds will also be used to change the appropriate signage and for the branding of the campus.
Leadership Promotions
The Board approved the Superintendent's recommendation for the promotion of three administrators to include Jacque Rodriguez as the new principal for CAST STEM High School, Richard Rojas as the new principal for Indian Creek Elementary School, and Veronica Cuenca-Wilson as Director of Schools.
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