Dozens of parents, students, and staff urged the board to keep the school open.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Independent School District’s board voted Monday night to close Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School as part of their “right-sizing” plan.
The decision came after an hourslong, packed meeting where dozens of parents, students, and staff urged the board to keep the school open.
The proposal passed with only two board members, trustee Stephanie Torres (District 5) and Secretary Jacob Ramos (District 3) voting against the closure. The board also approved a partnership between the district and the nonprofit education organization, Third Future Schools.
After the vote, the meeting became tense. School Board President Alicia Sebastian attempted to move to the next agenda item, but continued outbursts led the board to take a brief recess “to ensure we can transition to the next item.” The meeting resumed shortly afterward.
Under the new plan, students will be transferred to Tafolla Middle School. The nonprofit Third Future Schools will manage day-to-day operations at Tafolla to boost academic performance under a three-year contract. District officials say students who do not wish to attend Tafolla Middle School may enroll at any other SAISD campus.
According to a press release from the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel, Third Future Schools typically have longer school days, experience high turnover among teachers and principals, and are overseen by an unelected board with no direct ties to SAISD communities.
“Everything we know about Third Future Schools is incongruous with the student-centered, culturally responsive approach SAISD has championed in recent years. However you choose to define thriving students, school communities, and families, Third Future ain’t it,” Alejandra Lopez, President of the San Antonio Alliance, stated at Monday’s meeting.
In a previous statement, SAISD officials said Rhodes Middle School will close at the end of the school year and that bond funds for Rhodes and Carvajal Elementary School will be combined to design and build a new, state-of-the-art facility for the community.
“In districts where Third Future Schools have partnered, campuses have seen meaningful improvements in academic outcomes and accountability ratings. This partnership will allow Tafolla Middle School to continue operating as part of SAISD, while gaining additional support and flexibility designed to accelerate growth for our students,” the statement reads.