San Antonio Independent School District Superintendent Jaime Aquino is stepping down next year, and the search is already on for his replacement.
The district wants community members to share what they’d like to see in a new leader during a community town hall on Monday, April 27 at the district’s headquarters, 514 W. Quincy St.
By gathering feedback this way, district officials said SAISD’s direction can “reflect the priorities of those it serves.” The SAISD town hall will also be live-streamed.
Aquino announced his retirement in March, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. He’s been SAISD’s top administrator since 2022, after his predecessor Pedro Martinez left the district to lead Chicago Public Schools.
His exit announcement came as SAISD faces a slew of ongoing challenges, including a $46 million budget deficit, declining enrollment and academically struggling schools which led to the closure of two schools this year.
SAISD has 18 campuses that have received failing ratings three years in a row. Another failing rating would open the district up to state probing, and a fifth would require the Texas Education Agency to step in by either closing campuses or replacing the school board and superintendent with a board of managers and a state-appointed superintendent.
Outside of closing schools, SAISD officials are also considering vast budget cuts to nearly all of its departments and programs heading into the next school year. When the new superintendent takes over, they will do so while three SAISD campuses are under the control of an outside group that specializes in turning failing campuses around, an unpopular move with parents and community members.
School board members have hiring and contract negotiation power over the superintendent. Last week, the board hired WorkTogether Talent Consulting, a recruiting firm that helps education employers find top executives. Recruiters will be present at the town hall next week.
Board members also drafted a “set of commitments” to guide the superintendent search. These include prioritizing student outcomes, taking urgent action in struggling schools and providing personalized support for all students.
“These are our starting ideas, but they’re not final,” said Board President Alicia Sebastian. “We want to hear from parents, teachers, students, faith leaders, neighbors — everyone.”
SAISD also launched a survey, asking community members which characteristics are the most important to them, how important it is for the superintendent to speak Spanish (hailing from the Dominican Republic, Aquino is a native Spanish speaker), and what direction they want the district to go in terms of school choice and student outcomes.
The survey closes Wednesday, April 29.
Superintendent applications open May 4 and close May 26, and the lone finalist will be named on or before July 1.
