Jaime Aquino says he will step down after four decades in public education.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Independent School District Superintendent Jaime Aquino announced Friday that he will retire in January 2027, concluding a 40‑year career in public education.
Aquino said the decision “was not an easy” one, adding that he looks forward to spending more time with family, whom he said he has “for many years, unintentionally placed second to the demands of this work.”
Serving SAISD “has been the honor of a lifetime,” he said in a district news release.
Aquino said he has focused on improving student outcomes, expanding opportunity and strengthening a culture of belonging across the district.
He described the district’s “remarkable spirit of familia” as a daily source of inspiration.
“Watching our students grow, partnering with families, and working alongside such dedicated and passionate colleagues has been profoundly rewarding and a deep source of pride for me,” Aquino said.
Aquino also thanked the Board of Trustees and the broader SAISD community for their trust and partnership. He said that although he never had children of his own, the board had given him “the extraordinary gift of fatherhood — allowing me to be a father and grandfather to more than 40,000 students.”
Board President Alicia Sebastian praised Aquino’s leadership, saying the board is “deeply grateful” for his service and for choosing “nearly four years ago to join the SAISD familia.”
“His steadfast belief in our students’ brilliance, his advocacy for equity and opportunity, and his deep love for this community have left a lasting imprint on our district,” Sebastian said.