The 2026 State of the District event, held on February 10, highlighted the current achievements and future vision of San Antonio ISD. The event, attended by more than 200 community leaders, featured a powerful program led by students from across the district. A special thank you to our co-hosts, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Their partnership underscores that the success of our public schools is a shared community responsibility and a vital investment in our city’s future. Superintendent Dr. Jaime Aquino and district leaders shared several landmark achievements that define our current momentum.
Key Milestones: A New Way Forward
Achievements:
Superintendent Dr. Jaime Aquino shared several key milestones, highlighting an increase in student attendance to 91.7%. He also noted that with the latest TEA rating, 30 of our schools were rated A & B campuses. Impressive success by the Class of 2025 was also shared, with 57% of students already enrolled in college to date.
A New Way Forward:
Deputy Superintendents Dr. Shawn Bird and Patti Salzmann shared that over 100 projects under Bond 2020 have been completed. A New Way Forward will focus on creating state-of-the-art learning environments through new construction. Dr. Bird drew attention to significant changes in high-quality instructional materials as well as deep teacher and leadership training.
Student-Led Celebration:
Student leaders throughout the event shared great things happening in and through their schools, from construction students making beds for children to nursing students receiving their white coats. 
Community and Workforce Investment:
Greater San Antonio Chamber Chair Kevin Dinnin and Hispanic Chamber Chair Anamaria Suescun-Fast emphasized from the podium that supporting SAISD is a “community responsibility” and a vital investment in San Antonio’s future workforce. Each of them surprised us with a direct investment in the SAISD Foundation to power this work.
Innovative Programs:
Judy Geelhoed of the SAISD Foundation showcased unique district offerings that the Foundation has invested in, including the city’s only urban agriculture program at Burbank, expanded ballet folklorico and STEM buses, and the “Early Bird” pilot drop-off program at Baskin Elementary to support working parents, driving the economy.
A special thank you to the many distinguished leaders who joined us to celebrate the state of our district, including Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, Senator José Menéndez, State Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, County Commissioner Rebecca Clay-Flores (Brackenridge alumna), and Alamo Colleges Trustee Joe Alderete (Jefferson alumnus), City Councilwomen Sukh Kaur and Marina Alderete Gavito, and former State Representative and Speaker of the House Joe Straus.
The program concluded with a call to action for the community to continue opening doors through partnership and advocacy, ensuring every SAISD student is strengthened through education.
Together, we are strengthening pathways for students and building a bright future for our entire community.
Here you’ll find the full event video, program slides, and photo gallery. To learn more about our collective impact, we invite you to view our Annual Report.