“Today we made a very difficult decision. This is something that we do not take lightly.”
SAN ANTONIO — Southwest ISD trustees voted unanimously Tuesday night to close Sky Harbour Elementary at the end of the school year, a move district leaders say was necessary to address budget deficits and declining enrollment.
The decision came despite emotional pushback from parents. Among them was Sky Harbour parent Sylvia Ramirez, who urged the board to reconsider closing the campus as part of the district’s larger “campus rebalancing” plan.
“I’m so sad. I’m disappointed. I went out there and I spoke from my heart,” Ramirez told trustees.
She said she moved to the neighborhood specifically so her children could attend the same school she once did.
Ramirez also raised concerns about how the closure could affect the surrounding community and property values.
The rebalancing plan includes opening Juan Alvarado Elementary, adjusting attendance boundaries, and consolidating Sky Harbour, Indian Creek and Hidden Cove elementaries.
District officials said all three campuses have struggled with low enrollment, but Sky Harbour was selected for closure because of additional problems.
“These three schools in the area have low enrollment,” Jenny Suniga-Collier, Southwest ISD’s chief communications officer, said during the meeting. “Sky Harbour is one of those, and the reason why Sky Harbour was chosen is because it has some structural issues and maintenance issues.”
District leaders said the consolidation will save Southwest ISD an estimated $6.4 million and help stabilize student distribution across campuses.
“This is a financial decision,” Suniga-Collier said. “Every school district is battling a budget deficit. We didn’t get any real funding help from our state lawmakers, so we have to make sure we’re being fiscally responsible for all of our students.”
A study presented Tuesday showed Sky Harbour’s enrollment was trending downward in coming years, reinforcing the recommendation to close the campus.
Despite concerns from families, trustees emphasized that no employees will lose their jobs as a result of the consolidation. Students affected by boundary changes will receive transportation to their new campuses.
“Today we made a very difficult decision. This is something that we do not take lightly,” Suniga-Collier Said after the vote. “We look to experts to help us come up with this, and there are several major reasons for this campus rebalance and the consolidation of schools.”
District officials said they will hold several meetings with parents over the next few weeks to help families navigate the transition and determine what resources they may need.