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Judson Independent School District: Navigating Challenges and Pursuing Excellence
Overview
Judson Independent School District (ISD) is a public school district serving communities in northeast Bexar County, Texas, including portions of San Antonio, Converse, Live Oak, and Universal City. Established in 1951, the district has grown to serve approximately 23,000 students across 24 campuses, making it one of the larger school districts in the San Antonio metropolitan area.
Recent Financial Challenges and Responses
Budget Crisis and Cuts
Facing a projected deficit of nearly $46 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, Judson ISD has implemented substantial budget reductions. The district's financial challenges stem from declining enrollment, inflation, and changes in state funding formulas. Key measures include:
- Elimination of vacant positions across various departments
- Reduction of certain staff roles and responsibilities
- Discontinuation of pre-kindergarten programs for 3-year-olds
- Cuts to low-participation athletic programs including golf and powerlifting
- Elimination of 25 vacant non-teaching positions
- Reduction of four vacant nursing staff positions to licensed vocational nurse roles
- These measures are projected to save approximately $1.43 million annually
- Enhanced professional development for educators
- Data-driven instructional practices
- Curriculum enhancements and alignment
- Targeted interventions for 17 campuses that received failing marks
- Improve sportsmanship across all athletic programs
- Reduce player and coach ejections
- Foster positive relationships among coaches, athletes, officials, and fans
- Strengthen community bonds through athletic participation
- 17 elementary schools
- 5 middle schools
- 3 high schools (Judson High School, Veterans Memorial High School, and Wagner High School)
- Alternative education campuses
School Closure Considerations
In May 2025, the district board considered closing three campuses—Judson Middle School, Candlewood Elementary, and Franz Leadership Academy—as part of cost-saving measures. However, following significant community feedback and deliberation, the board voted to keep these schools open for the 2025-2026 academic year, demonstrating responsiveness to community concerns.
Staffing Adjustments
The district has taken strategic approaches to personnel management, including:
Leadership Stability
CFO Turnover
The district has experienced significant leadership transitions in its financial management. In October 2025, CFO Tony Kingman resigned after less than two months in the role to join IDEA Public Schools as Vice President of Finance for Texas. This marked the fourth CFO change for Judson ISD since 2022, highlighting ongoing challenges in maintaining stable financial leadership.
Academic Improvement Initiatives
Addressing Accountability Ratings
In response to receiving a D rating from the Texas Education Agency, Judson ISD has implemented a comprehensive academic improvement plan. The district's strategy focuses on:
The improvement plan represents a concerted effort to elevate student achievement and meet state accountability standards.
Athletics and Community Engagement
The Texas Way Initiative
Judson ISD Athletics has embraced "The Texas Way," a statewide initiative promoting sportsmanship, integrity, and community strength in Texas sporting events. This commitment aims to:
District Demographics and Structure
Judson ISD serves a diverse student population with campuses including:
The district is known for its strong athletic traditions, particularly in football, where Judson High School has won multiple state championships.
Future Outlook
Despite current financial and academic challenges, Judson ISD remains committed to providing quality education while implementing necessary reforms. The district's approach combines fiscal responsibility with strategic investments in academic improvement, reflecting a balanced path forward for serving its students and community.
The ongoing efforts to address financial constraints while enhancing educational outcomes demonstrate the district's resilience and dedication to its mission of preparing students for success in college, career, and life.
The prompt for this was: judson isd
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