Texans have a strong aversion to tax hikes and bigger government, but San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro has managed to persuade his constituents to fund an ambitious preschool program for underprivileged 4-year-olds. The program, called "Pre-K 4 SA," was launched just nine months after it was approved by voters and is being implemented in partnership with seven of the 15 local school districts within the city.
The goal of the program, according to Mayor Castro, is to provide high-quality education to 22,400 children over the next eight years. The program also focuses on professional development for staff members and support for parents. Four new or retrofitted state-of-the-art school buildings have been set up at convenient locations for easy access.
Mayor Castro, who is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and ambition, recognized the need for such a program in 2011. A task force made up of business leaders, superintendents, and education professionals was formed to address the low college attainment and lack of preparedness among kindergarten students in San Antonio. Business leaders expressed their desire to hire locally but struggled to find qualified applicants.
Although federal and state funds were available for preschool services, only 3,400 children were attending these programs in San Antonio. The Pre-K 4 SA initiative aims to fill this gap and ensure that more children have access to quality preschool education. Research from other states has shown that such programs can significantly improve a child’s academic performance by 3rd grade.
Mayor Castro believes that investing in preschool education is crucial for future academic success. The Pre-K 4 SA initiative has gained attention at the national level, with President Obama proposing a $75 billion budget for early-childhood education. San Antonio’s model of a city-school district partnership is seen as innovative and has garnered praise from experts in the field.
Overall, the Pre-K 4 SA program is considered to be an ambitious and comprehensive undertaking that aims to provide a holistic approach to early childhood education. It has been met with support and enthusiasm, despite the challenges of convincing Texans to support a tax increase for this initiative.
"It is an unfair tax," he commented.
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For a related article, read "San Antonio Mayor Advocates for Support of Pre-K Initiative," (April 23, 2013).
The Castro administration disagrees with both arguments, referencing data from Texas A&M and the National Institute for Early Education Research based in New Jersey. According to this research, for every $1 invested in pre-K education, there is a return on investment ranging from $3 to $7. Additionally, Leslie Garza, the public-information officer for the Harlandale school district, which is located in the south side of San Antonio and serves 14,500 students, emphasized the urgent need for this service. She mentioned that there are currently 1,250 students enrolled in their preschool program, with another 200 on a waiting list due to a lack of available classrooms. They have a waiting list every year, which implies that these are children who should be receiving education in a classroom setting.
To be eligible for free pre-K services through Pre-K 4 SA, children must come from families at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty line (approximately $42,000 for a family of four), be homeless or in foster care, use English as a second language, or be a child of a living or deceased member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Ten percent of the slots will be reserved for families who do not meet any of these criteria and will be filled through a lottery system, according to Mr. Castro.
The mayor mentioned that his own daughter will not be taking a slot in the program, as she will continue her education at the same school where his wife works as a mathematics specialist for elementary school students. He explained that he didn’t want her to occupy a spot that could be used by another child.
In the end, not all voters were convinced of the value of Pre-K 4 SA, but enough were swayed by the mayor’s arguments. According to the city’s records office, the measure received nearly 53.6 percent of the vote on November 6, with just over 55 percent of eligible voters casting their ballots. The funding for Pre-K 4 SA will come from taxes, generating $32.5 million annually, which will cover 83 percent of the program’s expenses over the course of eight years. The state will contribute an additional $5 million per year in per-pupil funding, and the federal government will provide $1.5 million through nutrition programs. Tuition fees from families with higher incomes will also contribute $156,000. Mr. Castro expressed confidence that even those who opposed the measure would give it a chance to prove its effectiveness. He noted the importance of being held accountable to taxpayers and ensuring the delivery of excellent education. Constructive criticism serves as a reminder to prioritize the success of the program.
Construction is currently underway to ensure that two out of the four schools will be ready to open in August. One school is being built from scratch on S.E. Military Drive, while the second is being renovated from a former Southwest Airlines call center located on Medical Drive. Peter Zanoni, the deputy city manager, confirmed that these buildings will accommodate a total of 700 students.
Outside, there are plans for a tricycle track and a beautiful garden that overlooks a peaceful green pasture. The board of directors for Pre-K 4 SA, consisting of 11 members, is currently working on vetting curricula and developing a transportation plan, among other exciting projects. The city council appoints ten of the board members, while the mayor awards one seat.
At the same time, recruiters are conducting job interviews in San Antonio, as well as in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, to fill 160 positions for staff members, including 44 teachers and 36 aides, according to Jaime Castillo, the mayor’s communication director. He also mentioned that over 2,800 individuals have expressed interest in these positions, some from as far away as Maine and Alaska.
The high level of interest may be due to the attractive salaries offered by Pre-K 4 SA. The program is specifically looking for teachers with a minimum of three years’ experience, who can earn between $60,057 and $90,086 per year. In comparison, educators with similar experience typically earn between $45,000 and $50,000 in other San Antonio schools, stated Mr. Zanoni. In addition to the higher salary, teachers will also have more hours and will be responsible for training other teachers. It’s important to note that their employment can be terminated at any time, Mr. Zanoni mentioned.
Implementing this program within such a short timeframe can be described as a daring and risky endeavor, according to Ms. Russell. However, she expressed confidence in the city’s ability to accomplish this feat in time for the planned August opening.
Ultimately, the fate of Pre-K 4 SA will once again rest in the hands of San Antonio voters. They will have the opportunity to vote on the initiative’s reauthorization in 2020.
To aid voters in their decision-making process, they will have access to ample information. Independent auditors will assess the progress of Pre-K 4 SA students from their time in preschool until they transition to kindergarten. Additionally, local school districts will also evaluate these students using their own measurement tools during kindergarten and the first three years of primary school.
Mayor Castro acknowledged that the goals of Pre-K 4 SA are ambitious but attainable. He expressed pride in the fact that voters chose to look beyond concerns about raised taxes and instead invest in the intellectual capability of the community.
