This story has been updated.
The San Antonio Independent School District is parting ways with a charter partner operating four of its schools after opening an investigation into allegations that the nonprofit had been diverting SAISD employees to support out-of-district public and private schools in violation of their contract.
The district and partner, School Innovation Collaborative (S-I-C), released a joint statement Wednesday announcing the termination of the agreement.
“The San Antonio ISD and School Innovation Collaborative have determined that it is in the best interest of both parties to pursue their independent interests,” the joint statement said. “In light of this shared agreement, S-I-C and SAISD intend to mutually terminate the partnership agreement, subject to board approval.”
Representatives from S-I-C did not respond to further questions about the allegations Wednesday.
Superintendent Jaime Aquino notified parents about the investigation in a letter Monday after a special Saturday board meeting where trustees heard “compelling information” relating to the accusations against the S-I-C, which operates as an 1882 Charter School.
Partnerships like the one with S-I-C are authorized under SB 1882, a law that incentivizes districts to partner with outside organizations for increased funding and greater autonomy. In most of the arrangements, the district cedes almost complete control of staffing, curriculum and day-to-day operations to the partner.
For chronically failing campuses, the partnerships are also an option to avoid state intervention or closure of the campus.
The S-I-C network includes Bowden Academy, Lamar Elementary School, Gates Elementary School and Cameron Elementary School, in Central and East San Antonio. The SAISD employees in question were under contract to serve the district and its students.
The investigation resulted in the abrupt resignations of the SAISD employees who were reported to be supporting out-of-district schools run by the collaborative, the letter said.
Since opening the investigation, SAISD has received further allegations that S-I-C has not been complying with Texas Education Agency accountability requirements, among other shortcomings, according to the letter.
The Texas Education Agency did not respond to a request for comment.
The district will hold a special board meeting on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the District Administration Building, 514 W. Quincy St., for the purpose of holding a public hearing before considering whether the district should terminate its partnership with S-I-C.
On Friday, S-I-C will also hold a board meeting at 6:30 a.m. at 6660 First Park Ten Blvd.
The contract between the district and the charter partner wouldn’t expire until June 2029 if it not terminated.
Termination could only occur under specific circumstances, one of which is mutual agreement, according to a copy of the contract.
It is unclear which schools the charter partner is being accused of diverting staff to or the positions of the employees.
In addition to the SAISD partnerships, S-I-C oversees a “rural excellence network” in South Texas.
Aquino said in the letter that the district is prepared to step in and maintain the continuation of operations of the four network schools if the partnership with S-I-C is terminated by the board of trustees, adding that there will be no impact on the educational programming and services for the four schools.
“We remain focused on our students, and we welcome collaboration with the school community to determine the best path to move forward,” he said. “We are united in our focus to ensure that all students receive what they need, when they need it, and that the funds allocated for our students are, in fact, devoted to our students.”
Both board meetings will be streamed live for community members who are unable to attend in person.
This story has been updated to remove a reference to the Rural Schools Innovation Zone, which is not affiliated with the School Innovation Collaborative.
