North San Antonio | August 2025

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North San Antonio Edition VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11 AUG. 21SEPT. 19, 2025

2025 Education Edition

Students at Jackson-Keller Elementary School in North East ISD work on an interactive activity.

COURTESY NORTH EAST ISD

Increase in education options impacts NISD, NEISD enrollment Over the last decade, an increase in alternative schooling options, such as charter schools and private schools, has created funding issues for local independent school districts. With the growth of alternative schooling options, the student population for local public school districts has seen a steady decline over the last 10 years. As students transfer from public schools, the district can lose thousands of dollars in basic allot- ment, which are state funds given to the districts based on student attendance. “[Essentially] we are truly funded based on aver- age daily attendance and the number of students in our schools,” North East ISD Superintendent Sean Maika said. BY PARKS KUGLE

CONTINUED ON 14

Also in this issue

Impacts: Learn about an upscale steakhouse that recently opened in North San Antonio (Page 4)

Government: Read the latest update on Project Marvel funding (Page 6)

Transportation: Check out updates on ve local transportation projects (Page 16)

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Impacts

3 Nova Head Spa The spa offers traditional Japanese head spa treatments. • Opened July 9 • 20323 Huebner Road, Ste. 105, San Antonio • www.novaheadspa.com

Stone Oak

CAMP BULLIS

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4 Uptown Cheapskate The thrifting and discount clothing chain lets customers buy and sell used clothing, shoes and accessories. • Opened July 24 • 2606 TPC Parkway, Ste. 111, San Antonio • www.uptowncheapskate.com/location/stone-oak 5 The Capital Grille The upscale steakhouse chain sells ribeyes, New York strips, chicken and various seafood dishes. • Opened Aug. 3 • 17446 Fiesta Texas Drive, San Antonio • www.thecapitalgrille.com 6 DiMartino’s Pizzeria The pizzeria serves traditional pies and offers by-the- slice meal deals. • Opened June 9 • 25020 Blanco Road, Ste. 130, San Antonio • www.dimartinospizzeriasa.com

FIESTA TEXAS DR.

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Hollywood Park

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Shavano Park

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7 Tacos on the Street The Mexico-based restaurant is opening its first flagship restaurant in the United States. Tacos on the Street will be a fast-casual dining spot serving Puerto Vallarta-inspired cuisine such as traditional street-style tacos, quesadillas,

AIRPORT BLVD.

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MAP NOT TO SCALE

tostadas and more. • Opening August • 22026 Hwy. 281 N., Ste. 101, San Antonio • www.tacosonthestreet.com

2 Kennedy’s Barbershop The men’s grooming salon is an extension of the Kennedy’s Public House restaurant and offers traditional precision haircuts and beard trimming alongside hot towel shaves and facial hair waxes. • Opened July 8 • 19179 Blanco Road, Ste. 111, San Antonio • www.kennedysbarbershop.com

Now open

1 Los Originals Barber Lounge The men’s barbershop offers precision cuts, scissor cuts, facial hair trims and more. • Opened late spring • 25020 Blanco Road, Ste. 140, San Antonio • Instagram: Los Originals Barber Lounge

8 7 to 7 Dental The clinic will provide dental and orthodontic services such as teeth cleanings, veneers and cosmetic treatments.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY ANDREW CREELMAN & PARKS KUGLE

11 Wounded Warriors Project The nonprofit signed a lease to move into an 18,500-square-foot office space, according to a news release. Wounded Warriors Project supports veterans and families of those who served after 9/11. • Opening TBD

• Opening October 1 • 16350 Blanco Road, Ste. 114, San Antonio • www.7to7dental.com

Coming soon

Relocations

• 5710 W. Hausman Road, San Antonio • www.woundedwarriorproject.org

9 Nicol Scales and Measurement The company relocated from Austin to San Antonio. Nicol Scales and Measurement calibrates a wide variety of systems, including calipers, micrometers and multimeters. • Relocated in April • 11909 Starcrest Drive, San Antonio • www.nicolscales.com

12 Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant

The hospital added a new Intensive Care Unit, which provides 14 additional beds for patients recovering from a transplant procedure. • Opened Aug. 1 • 8026 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio • www.sahealth.com/locations/methodist-hospital- specialty-and-transplant PNC Bank The Pennsylvania-based banking chain is planning to expand across San Antonio with nine future locations

14 Elsewhere Too The restaurant—owned by Terrin Fuhrmann—will be The Elsewhere Garden and Beer’s second location. Elsewhere Too will offer cocktails, craft beer and bar food such as burgers, sandwiches and Philly cheesesteak fries. The restaurant will also be equipped with outdoor seating, a 53-foot-tall Ferris Wheel and an event pavilion • Opening late August • 4513 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio • www.elsewheretexas.com/elsewhere-too

In the news

10 Freight Fried Chicken This restaurant is opening within the San Antonio Airport, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Freight Fried Chicken will serve fried chicken baskets, chicken tenders, biscuits and sandwiches. • Opening TBD • 9800 Airport Blvd, Terminal A, San Antonio • Instagram: Freight Chicken

across the metro. • Locations TBD • Opening by 2029 • www.pnc.com

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Government

BY PARKS KUGLE

City, County explore Project Marvel funding

Project Marvel The proposed projects stretch from the Alamodome to the Henry B. González Convention Center

Entertainment and Sports District

Expansions/proposals

Alamodome Event Venue Entertainment Venue Henry B. González Convention Center University of Texas at San Antonio School of Hospitality & Convention Center Hotel New Spurs Arena

As plans for the new sports and entertainment district continue to develop, the Bexar County Commissioners Court is eyeing a potential way for the county to fund the construction of the new Spurs Arena. On Aug. 5, County Commissioners voted to place a venue sales tax election on the Nov. 4 ballot. The venue sales tax proposes increasing the hotel occupancy tax, or HOT, from 1.75% to 2%. Current situation The increased HOT—which would raise an estimated $450 million —would fund the renovation of the Freeman Coliseum and the development of a new multi-purpose downtown arena. The propo- sition would also authorize the county to use funds from the existing 5% motor vehicle rental tax. Estimated to net roughly $175 million in funding for the new Spurs Arena, county officials stressed that revenue generated by the increased HOT and the motor vehicle rental tax would be used to main- tain county properties, such as the Frost Bank Center and the Freeman Coliseum, before any funding would be used on the new Spurs Arena. “We have made a commitment that we want to make sure that the county facilities, the Eastside community, is included according to statute, because that tax can only be used for certain things, and if there’s anything left over, then we will see what we can do to keep the Spurs in San Antonio,” said Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai.

SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• San Antonio Spurs: $500 million in funding from the San Antonio Spurs to support the construction of the new NBA arena • Venue Tax: a proposed hotel occupancy tax increase from 1.75% to 2% and a car rental tax of 5% to fund venues • Federal Funding: received from federal govern- ment sources, such as program grants The backstory In July, City Council received a pledge from the Spurs to invest $500 million in the construction of the new arena. If the proposed venue tax increase is approved by voters in the Nov. 4 election, the County would cover approximately 25% of the arena cost using venue sales tax revenue, while the City would cover an estimated $350-$500 million .

The proposal is the newest move towards the construction of the new sports and entertainment district, and would assist in funding the project alongside San Antonio’s newest project financing zone, or PFZ, which the City Council voted to form in May. The PFZ is a 3-mile zone centered around the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and allows the city to capture incremental state-associated HOT tax revenue over a 30-year period. Potential funding sources include: • Project Finance Zone: a designated zone where taxes from businesses and venues are captured • Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone: allows the city to capture incremental increases in property taxes to support development within the boundaries of the zone • Private Funding: funding from sources, such as equity investments, naming rights and team contributions

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY PARKS KUGLE

County to set hospital district tax rate On Aug. 5, the Bexar County Commission- ers Court approved a proposal to set the scal year 2025-26 ad valorem property tax rate for the Bexar County Hospital District, otherwise known as University Health. The gist According to county documents, the proposed tax rate is $0.276236 per $100 prop- erty valuation. The FY 2024-25 tax rate was $0.276235 per $100 valuation. The increased tax rate will support the development of Uni- versity Health’s two new hospitals scheduled to open in early 2027, as well as a $71 million purchase of the 45.121-acre Christus Health Medical Center Hospital Campus. The Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing followed by a vote on the new tax rate at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 9.

Intersection Road work

Upcoming road projects Several transportation projects are currently in the design phase in Hollywood Park, and are anticipated to begin this fall.

RIDGE TRAIL ST.

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NORTHOAK DR.

STERLING BROWNING RD.

TRAILCREST ST.

WILLIAM CLASSEN DR.

SAGECREST DR.

281

DONELLA DR.

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

Hollywood Park to embark on road repair projects During its July 15 meeting, the Hollywood Park City Council received an update regarding the design process for a series of road repair projects. What you need to know Jaster said construction is estimated to begin in October or November. The longest and most involved project will

be the William Classen Drive and Donella Drive project, which Jaster said the city will block o to help speed the process. Place 3 council member Dale Randol said it is important the projects are done correctly, and won’t require further repairs in a few years.

Frank Jaster, Hollywood Park city engineer, said the projects are currently in the design phase, with a goal of having plans ready for City Council’s review and approval by mid-August.

Shavano Park eyes change to emergency medical service fees During the July 28 meeting, Shavano Park City Council discussed an ordinance amending emergency medical services, or EMS, fees. The overview Darrell Dover, Shavano Park EMS chief and re marshal, said the EMS increases were due to the increased cost of medical supplies and operating costs. City sta will present the nalized amended fees at a future meeting.

SA City Council funds nancing program for airport

On Aug. 7, the San Antonio City Council voted to form the Texas Airport System Interim Financing Program as a way to bridge gaps in

project funding. The big picture

According to city documents, the program will provide interim nancing in an amount up to $500 million in support of the approved six-year capital improvement plan, or CIP. These funds will be used to support the $1.6 billion terminal development program, which comprises a variety of projects, such as the design and construction of aireld improvements, transit improvements, terminal expansions and information technology upgrade projects as well as updates to the Master Plan for the Airport. According to city documents, the city plans to fund the CIP through the issuance of airport revenue bonds over a series of years, with the rst issuance planned for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Additionally, the program will provide city ocials with exibility in funding beginning December 2025 and will serve as a contingency fund for any issuance delays.

The new nancing program will help bridge short-term funding gaps for the terminal development project.

RENDERING COURTESY CORGAN, LAKEFLATO

“[The fees] will increase [for] nonresidents … and that will be an average of $1,400 per call where we were previously at about $1,000.” DARRELL DOVER, SHAVANO PARK FIRE & EMS CHIEF, FIRE MARSHAL

Also of note The program requires the city to select either a commercial paper dealer—a funding apparatus that utilizes short-term, unsecured debt—or a direct placement purchaser, which is an investor who purchases municipal securities directly from the city.

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY PARKS KUGLE

Education Edition

2025

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Education Edition. In this edition, our lead story covers how the increase in school choice and other changes in the education landscape have aected enrollment and budgets in both Northside ISD and North East ISD. We also share a nonprot feature on Communities in Schools of San Antonio that recently celebrated their 40-year anniversary. Check out the CI Foodie on page 20 and try a new dining establishment around the San Antonio area. They love the local support!

Learn more about local education trends in this special guide. From budget constraints to enrollment decline, this guide takes a closer look at some of the challenges local districts are facing as they begin the 2025-26 school year. This edition also features a story on Community in Schools of San Antonio, which oers support and resources to students in districts across the region.

Sierra Martin Managing Editor smartin@ communityimpact.com

Heather Demere San Antonio Market President hdemere@ communityimpact.com

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Balancing budgets, competition: local districts look ahead standardized testing and accountability in alterna- tive education options; and the potential impact of the upcoming educational savings accounts. Looking ahead

As the 2025-26 school year begins, both John Craft, superintendent of Northside ISD, or NISD, and Sean Maika, superintendent of North East ISD, or NEISD, are optimistic about their districts’ trajectories. To become nancially stable, Craft said NISD has made notable changes to its nancial management. “[NISD] is on a trajectory now, nancially, that I think we can denitely live within our means, and we’ve had to reset our budget,” Craft said. To thrive in a changing environment, Maika said NEISD is constantly evaluating and adjusting its approach towards the district’s goals. The outlook Both superintendents expressed concerns about a number of emerging trends that are unique to this era. This includes changing demographics, such as smaller families and fewer people having children; increasing competition from charter schools and other alternative education options; a lack of

“A strong education system is truly the foundation for which our future resides.” JOHN CRAFT, SUPERINTENDENT OF NORTHSIDE ISD

For the upcoming school year, Maika seeks to take a pragmatic, business-like approach towards the educational landscape. “Things are changing and evolving so quickly,” Maika said. Craft said that NISD faced the same inationary pressures as households and businesses have over the last few years, forcing them to adopt decit budgets, which occur when a district spends more than it accrues in revenue. To combat this, the district took a dierent approach to its upcoming budget. “NISD went through a process called zero-based budgeting across all of our departments ... That’s part of the hard work that garnered us around $10 million in savings,” Craft said.

“Public education really allows kids to nd their unique path ... to really nd what they’re good at and to excel.” SEAN MAIKA, SUPERINTENDENT OF NORTH EAST ISD

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Education

Northside ISD proposes $22M reduction in FY 2025-26 budget different departments, and, on average, that fill rate was 94%, so that is the average we’re using,” said Megan Bradley, NISD deputy superintendent for business and finance.

During the Northside ISD board of trustees meeting July 22, district officials said current budget assumptions are made with the goal of balancing the budget by the 2026-27 school year. Current situation According to district documents, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget is roughly $297.7 mil- lion, a $22.1 million reduction from the FY 2024-25 budget of $319.8 million. During the presentation, district officials laid out the assumptions that underpin the proposed FY 2025-26 budget, including a 93.5% attendance rate, with a refined average daily attendance of 91,500 students. District officials said the budget includes a 10% budget cut through a $10.2 million reduction to department budgets, with the staffing budget shaped around an estimated 94% fill rate. “[District officials] used [staffing numbers from] April 30, 2025, and looked at the fill rates of all the

Student-teacher ratio Attrition resulted in 414 reduced teaching positions and 85 non-teaching staff positions. 2024-25 class size 2025-26 class size Teachers per class

District officials also noted that key planning assumptions for the 2025-26 school year project are designed to reduce NISD’s deficit from $101 million to $91 million. The approach District officials said they cut 414 teaching positions and 85 non-teacher positions through attrition, and not layoffs. “[NISD does] not expect to reduce teachers further than [the cuts already made],” a district official said. In light of the cuts already made, district offi- cials suggested taking a “scalpel approach” rather than a “hatchet approach” for any future job cuts to ensure that the cuts do not cause major issues for students or staff members.

Pre-kindergarten

Kindergarten-4th grade

5th grade

Middle schools

High schools

SOURCE: NORTHSIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY PARKS KUGLE

Alamo Colleges District approves $1 billion budget The Alamo Colleges District, ACD, Board of Trustees approved a $1 billion revenue budget, including a $558.9 million operating budget, for fiscal year 2025-26 during a June 14 meeting. In a nutshell According to a news release, the budget will AlamoPROMISE Funding focus The budget was designed to prioritize funding student-focused strategies, including:

Organization offers school consultations To help families navigate local charter and private school choices, the School Discovery Network is offering free one-on-one consul- tations with education experts for parents in the San Antonio area. The organization was formerly known as the San Antonio Charter Moms, but rebranded July 30. The setup According to a news release, the school search consultants will assist parents in finding the right fit for their child. “Our consultations match families with schools that fit their child’s unique needs— taking into account education history, learning style, transportation and more,” said Jaime Mora, School Discovery Net- work’s director of partnerships and school consultations.

73 public, charter and private schools served in Bexar County

support a projected student enrollment of 87,000 students in fall 2025, and is designed to prioritize the sustainability of core services and retention of high-quality staff. ACD is investing in two new programs: • The School of Nursing, centered at San Antonio College • The School of Emerging Technologies, centered at Northwest Vista College The School of Nursing seeks to address health- care needs and staffing shortages in the region. At the School of Emerging Technologies, students will train for careers in data analytics.

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SOURCE: ALAMO COLLEGES DISTRICT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Education

BY ANDREW CREELMAN

Communities in Schools provides support to San Antonio area students Support systems are critical to student success and decreasing drop-out rates in public schools, Jessica Weaver said. She’s the CEO and President of Communities in Schools of San Antonio, also known as CISSA, a nonprot organization geared toward providing safety nets and social work programs for students in schools across the San Antonio area. The specics “It’s really about bringing in a comprehensive support network,” Weaver said. Across the metro, CISSA has full-time site coor- dinators in 12 independent school districts and around 200 individual schools and community centers, according to their website. In the 2023-24 school year, they managed cases

for nearly 12,000 area students from elementary, middle and high schools. How it works Weaver said CISSA partners with school districts that typically house students from historically disadvantaged communities, also known as Title I schools. “That really is the emphasis, trying to serve those students in those communities,” Weaver said. Site coordinators are placed inside schools in these districts, which Weaver said work full time and manage cases for students that are usually referred to them from school guidance counselors. “We’re a place for kids to be able to talk through things that they are struggling with,” Weaver said. These coordinators can help students get necessary school supplies, help resolve issues with teachers or other students and refer them to clinicians or other support programs that they may need. Weaver said these coordinators add an addi- tional “layer” of support on top of what school

1604

7 8

5 CISSA serves 12 school districts across the San Antonio region. 1 Uvalde

Jessica Weaver said that she started working with the organization 36 years ago.

ANDREW CREELMANCOMMUNITY IMPACT

CISSA provides the following services to schools they are embedded within across San Antonio: • Academic support • College readiness • Mental health support • Attendance improvement • Social services • Family engagement

2 Pearsail 3 Devine 4 Southwest 5 Somerset 6 Edgewood 7 Harlandale 8 East Central 9 Northside 10 San Antonio 11 North East 12 Judson

districts may already provide. “They help really identify those students that maybe need more individualized attention,” she explained. “We don’t want anyone falling through the cracks.” Assessing the need Weaver said the next goal for CISSA is lending more focus towards mental health and growing a peer-to-peer support system between individual students.

SOURCE: COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF SAN ANTONIO

1045 Cheever Blvd., Ste. 201, San Antonio www.cissa.org

CISSA places full-time site coordinators into partnered schools to provide support, opportunity and assistance to students.

COURTESY COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF SAN ANTONIO

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Increase in education options impacts NISD, NEISD enrollment From the cover

Two-minute impact

Transfer trends

Transfers in Transfers out

Community Impact analyzed student enrollment and transfer data from the Texas Education Agency for Northside ISD, or NISD, and North East ISD, or NEISD. According to the data, a majority of students transferring out of the districts are choosing to transfer to charter or private schools. In NISD, TEA data shows that over 20,000 students transferred out of the district during the 2024-25 school year, with over 16,000 of those students—roughly 81%—transferring to local charter or private schools. NEISD saw over 10,000 transfers in the 2024-25 school year, with over 8,423 of those students—or roughly 77%— transferring to local charter or private schools. For NISD, a majority of students transferred to charter schools such as IDEA Public Schools, Basis Texas and the School of Science and Technology Discovery. In NEISD, students transferred to charter schools Great Hearts Texas, IDEA Public Schools, Basis Texas and the public school district San Antonio ISD. According to data from the TEA, there has been a 323% increase in transfers out of NISD and a 140% increase in transfers out of NEISD over a 10-year period. NISD Superintendent John Craft said transfers in and out of the district are dependent on what works best for individual families. “I think a lot of it is going to be dependent upon where the parent works in proximity to the location of the campus, and the ability to be able to drop the students o and pick the students up at the end of the day,” Craft said.

Northside ISD

North East ISD

10,925

20,381

2.5K 1.5K 1K 500

10K 12K

8K 6K 4K 2K

971

608

Students transferring from NISD into charter schools and other school districts in 2024-25

Students transferring from NEISD into charter schools and other school districts in 2024-25

Charter/private schools

School districts 2,491

School districts 3,649

16,732

8,434

Top schools NISD students went to in 2024-25

Top schools NEISD students went to in 2024-25

1,871

Great Hearts Texas

4,170 3,057 2,094

IDEA Public Schools Great Hearts Texas

1,620

IDEA Public Schools

Basis Texas

977 937

San Antonio ISD

School of Science and Technology Discovery

Basis Texas

1,874

764 School of Science and Technology Discovery George Gervin Academy 486

1,314

San Antonio ISD

Harmony Public Schools - South Texas

1,081

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The big picture

Maika said the decline in public school atten- dance doesn’t need to be viewed in a negative mindset, but rather, as a learning experience. “What we’re embracing here in [NEISD] is, what are we to learn from this experience? ... I think we have this opportunity to really re-envision public education in a sense, and get really good at [specific] things, rather than trying to do it all,” Maika said. Craft said declining enrollment in public schools is a statewide trend that’s exacerbated by school choice. “At one time, [NISD was] hovering around 106,000 students, about four or five years ago ... and now we’re projected to be just slightly under 100,000 students for next year,” Craft said.

Student enrollment trends

As demographics change and school choices expand, NEISD and NISD have seen a steady decline in student enrollment.

Northside ISD

North East ISD

12K

56,420

100,208

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY PARKS KUGLE

What they’re saying

A closer look

Looking ahead

On May 3, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2 into law, which enacts a program allowing families to use public funds for private education beginning in the 2026- 27 school year. SB 2 set aside $1 billion for education savings accounts, or ESAs, which can be used to pay for private school tuition and other educational expenses. According to previous Community Impact reporting, most participating students will receive 85% of the per-student funding public schools get from state and local sources— about $10,330 in the first year of the program, the nonpartisan Legislative Budget Board estimated. “We are going to make, through school choice, public schools even more competitive and better,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during the SB 2 signing event. “It’s not about us against them or them against us—all together, we want the best public school system, the highest-paid teachers and the best school choice program.” Craft said the effects of the ESAs won’t be fully known for a few years, as they are designed with a tiered system to help those most in need.

Inga Cotton, founder and executive director of the School Discover Network, said alternative schooling options offer a range of benefits, such as hands-on learning, specialized focus areas like early college programs and STEM, more advanced coursework and smaller class sizes. “I think the number one [driving factor to choose charter schools] is learning models …” Cotton said. “Understanding what those learning models are and finding [what works best for your child is] the number one driver. The other concern we hear from parents is [that their] neighborhood public school isn’t offering enough advanced work.” Cotton also pointed out that charter schools are easier to get into than they were 10-20 years ago. “Campuses aren’t running wait lists as long as they were before, because there aren’t as many kids and more campuses have opened,” Cotton said.

Financial impact A rough estimate of basic allotment funding received in 2024-25 is based on the number of net transfers. Net transfers refers to the number of students transferring into the district, subtracted by the number of students transferring out of the district. Maika said public schools offer a wide range of options that allow students to tai- lor their education around future careers. “We have a lot of different offerings, whether it’s in our career and technical education, whether it’s HVAC or cybersecu- rity or anything in between …” Maika said. “I think the difference is public education really allows kids to find their unique path, and there’s a program there for them to find what they’re good at and to excel.” Craft added that public schools not only offer athletics and other extracurricular activities, but a wide range of specialty programs. “There are very few programs that we don’t offer,” Craft said. “I think that’s what differentiates Northside [ISD] from private institutions and charter schools.”

Charter/private schools offerings:

• Unique learning models • Advanced coursework • Smaller class size • Higher emphasis on college readiness • Individualized student support

“It’s hard to predict exactly what an ESA fully implemented will entail. I do anticipate that we will see students that will unenroll in NISD and pursue a private school education utilizing the $10,000.” JOHN CRAFT, NISD SUPERINTENDENT

Basic allotment funding*

Net transfers

District

Public schools offerings:

• Diverse program offerings • Extracurricular activities • Career and technical education programs • University Interscholastic League • School choice within the district system

Northside ISD 19,773

$121,801,680

Join San Antonio’s Premier Youth Choir!

North East ISD 9,954 $61,316,640

*THESE AMOUNTS ARE SOLELY BASED ON THE BASIC ALLOTMENT PER STUDENT IN STATE FUNDING IN THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH WAS $6,160 PER STUDENT. SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Kids ages 5–18 are invited to sing, grow, and make joyful music with CCSA. SOURCES: SCHOOL DISCOVER NETWORK, NEISD, NISD /COMMUNITY IMPACT

Now enrolling for the 2025-2026 season

Scholarships and Financial Aid are available

Join San Antonio’s Premier Youth Choir! Kids ages 5–18 are invited to sing, grow, and make joyful music with CCSA Learn more at www.childrenschorusSA.org • Now enrolling for the 2025-2026 season • Scholarships and Financial Aid are available

Learn more at www.childrenschorusSA.org

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Transportation

BY PARKS KUGLE

3 District 8 Pedestrian Mobility project Project: Part of the city of San Antonio’s 2022-27 bond program, the project seeks to widen pedestrian access. The project includes the construction of new sidewalks, connecting existing sidewalks, adding bike paths, installing streetlights, adding crosswalks and improving access to public transportation. Update: Currently under construction, associated projects for District 8 include improving sidewalks and mobility on Hamilton Wolfe from Ewing Halsell Drive to Tom Slick Drive, and connecting sidewalks on Tom Slick Drive from Hamilton Wolfe to existing sidewalks. • Timeline: fall 2023-summer 2026 • Cost: $1 million • Funding source: 2022 General Obligation Bond 4 District 9 Pedestrian Mobility project Project: Part of the city of San Antonio’s 2022-27 bond program, the project seeks to widen pedestrian access. The project includes the construction of turn lanes, new sidewalks, driveway approaches and drainage improvements in the Stone Oak area. Update: Currently in the design phase, associated projects for District 9 include constructing intersection improvements at Stone Oak Parkway and Evans Road and at Stone Oak Parkway and Hardy Oak Boulevard. • Timeline: summer 2025-summer 2027 • Cost: $5.07 million • Funding source: 2022 General Obligation Bond 5 District 10 Pedestrian Mobility project Project: Part of the city of San Antonio’s 2022-27 bond program, the project seeks to widen pedestrian access. The project includes the construction of new sidewalks, connecting existing sidewalks, adding bike paths, installing streetlights, adding crosswalks and improving access to public transportation. Update: Currently under construction, associated projects for District 10 include adding sidewalks on Jones Maltsberger Road and Autry Pond Road, Greenwich Boulevard from Eisenhauer Road to Brees Boulevard and from Eisenhauer Road to Northridge Drive, and on El Charro Street from El Sendero Street to La Posita Street. • Timeline: summer 2024-summer 2026 • Cost: $1 million • Funding source: 2022 General Obligation Bond

JAMES MALTBERGER RD.

Stone Oak

CAMP BULLIS

AUTRY POND RD. BULVERDE RD.

OLD FREDERICKSBURG RD.

REDLAND RD.

3351

GREEN SPRING

281

Hollywood Park

Shavano Park

1604

NORTHRIDGE DR.

HAMILTON WOLFE

EL CHARRO ST.

GREENWICH BLVD.

SID KATZ RD. TOM SLICK

EISENHAUER RD.

JONES MALTSBERGER RD.

B L V

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

A C

Upcoming projects

Ongoing projects

1 Bulverde Road Phase 2 Project: Part of San Antonio’s 2022-27 bond program, Phase 2 will construct improvements on Bulverde Road from Green Spring Drive to Redland Road. These include new sidewalks, curbs, driveway approaches, drainage and bicycle facilities. The project will also address road wear and tear and an existing low-water crossing. Update: Currently in the design phase, the project will widen the road to 86 feet, expand it to four lanes, add a center turn lane, and add a sidewalk and a shared- use path as well as drainage improvements and utility adjustments. The estimated construction start date was moved from summer 2025 to spring 2026. • Timeline: spring 2026-spring 2028 • Cost: $14.62 million • Funding source: 2022 General Obligation Bond and Bexar County

2 Old Fredericksburg Road project Project: Bexar County is improving Old Fredericksburg Road in a ve-phase project from I-10 to FM 3351. The project includes drainage improvements, a new bridge at a low-water crossing, a roundabout at Lost Creek Gap and new turn lanes at multiple intersections. Other work includes paved shoulders, sidewalk improvements and other multimodal transportation improvements. Update: County documents state the project is under construction, with 30% of Phase 1 completed, which includes bridge construction and culvert construction at the roundabout at Woodland Green, Millstone Cove and Old Fredericksburg Road. • Timeline: January 2025-May 2027 • Cost: $13.25 million • Funding source: Bexar County, San Antonio Water System and the City of Fair Oaks Ranch Water.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY PARKS KUGLE

Pedcor Investments is building a 312-unit develop- ment in North San Antonio. In a nutshell Known as Creek Bend Apartment Homes, the new development is located o Hwy. 281 on East Borgfeld Drive. The apartment complex will have one, two and three-bedroom apartments for individuals and families earning up to $70,350 annually, which is 70% of the area median income, according to the company’s website. The development is a $110 million investment in North San Antonio and was made possible through a collaborative eort with the San Antonio Housing Trust. 312-unit aordable housing project underway

Creek Bend is Pedcor Investments’ eighth aordable housing project in San Antonio. (Parks Kugle/Community Impact)

“Creek Bend represents the kind of smart, forward-looking development San Antonio needs,” said a San Antonio Housing Trust representative. “It will help ensure that our city remains inclusive and livable for everyone, bring new opportunities for families, and support housing needs of the neighbor- hood’s diverse residents and workforce.” Looking ahead Construction began in 2025 and is estimated to be completed by spring or early summer of 2027.

281

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Events

• $28.52 (admission) • Alamo Drafthouse, 618 NW Loop 410, Ste. 307, San Antonio • www.tlsc.org WatchTower 40th Anniversary Tour: San Antonio Metal Night

hundreds of vendors, presentations and gaming booths set up around the convention center for this weekend long expo. • Aug. 29-31 • $90 (3-day pass) • Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 900 E. Market St., San Antonio • www.san-japan.org

August

Evening Bat Flights Watch some of the last bat flights of the season at the Bracken Cave Preserve. Participants will be able to see the largest colony of bats in the world at full flight just before the sun goes down at the cave. Preregistration is required. • Aug. 28 - Sept. 12, 7 p.m. • $32.55 (admission) • 7515 Bracken Cave Road, San Antonio • www.batcon.org SAFC Summer Movie Series: Harry Potter Head to Toyota Field to watch a screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone right on the football pitch, hosted by San Antonio FC. Blankets are encouraged to sit on when on the field and each ticket also grants admission to a paired SAFC match. • August 29, 7 p.m. • $29-71 (based on seat selection) • Toyota Field, 5106 David Edwards Drive, San Antonio • www.sanantoniofc.com/summer-movie-series San Japan Check out the largest anime and gaming convention in the region on Labor Day Weekend. There will be

Head to Fitzgerald’s to experience the 40th anniversary tour of progressive metal band WatchTower as they power through a setlist full of thrashing melodies. • Sept. 5 - 6, 7:30 p.m. • $30 (admission) • 437 McCarty Road 101, San Antonio • www.fitzrockssa.com/events 5 Mile Hike Head to Phil Harberger Park to hit the trail with a hike through the wildlife preserve, where participants will hike the perimeter of the park and over Robert L.B.

September

Whine Run 5K Run a 5K on Labor Day at the Tuscany Venue with wine and networking. The race is self-timed and focused on friendly competition. • Sept. 1, 7 a.m. • $38 • Tuscany Venue, 16102 Old Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio • www.trisignup.com/race/info/tx/sanantonio/ sarrlabordaywhine RunLegally Blonde The Texas Legal Services Center is organizing a screening of Legally Blonde to help spread awareness for legal justice. All proceeds will go toward civil legal services in the San Antonio area and beyond. • Sept. 4, 6 p.m.

Tobin Land Bridge. • Sept. 6, 7:45 a.m. • Free • Blanco Road Dog Park,

13203 Blanco Road, San Antonio • www.philhardbergerpark.org

One in a Million 5K Race this 5K at McAllister Park to support research

L uxury meets L egendary

Estate-Style Living in Boerne With a record-breaking turnout for the 2025 Parade of Homes hosted here, it’s clear that everyone is talking about George’s Ranch. Just four miles from Boerne’s historic Main Street and named for a legendary Texas Ranger, this gated community oers 1-acre homesites, new and custom homes, and room to live large across 1,140 scenic acres. Plan your visit today and stake your claim on luxury Hill Country living. Homes from the $900s | Custom Homesites from the $200s | GeorgesRanch.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY ANDREW CREELMAN

and efforts to fight appendix cancer. Proceeds from race registration will go directly toward nonprofits supporting the cause. • Sept. 13, 8:30 a.m. • $40 • 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road, San Antonio • www.solerssports.com/one-in-a-million-5k-run-walk Garden Rhythms: Puerto Rican Culture Check out this celebration of Puerto Rican culture at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio. Learn more about this unique culture with music, dance, cocktails and presentations. • Sept. 18, 6 p.m. • Free • Japanese Tea Garden, 3853 N. Saint Mary’s St., San Antonio • www.saparks.org/events/ garden-rhythms-cocktails-culture-3 Pancakes & Booze Art Show Check out this pop-up art show at the Brick where not only local artists will be showcased, but free pancakes will also be served to those attending. The event is for those 21 and older. • Sept. 27, 8 p.m. • $15 (admission) • Brick, 108 Blue Star, San Antonio • www.pancakesandbooze.com/tickets/sanantonio

Big Texas Rally for Recovery Celebrate those in recovery with this family- friendly event at Los Patios, organized by the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness. Donate to the cause and support local vendors to continue supporting those in need. • Sept. 27, 10 a.m. • Free • Los Patios, 2015 N. Loop 410, San Antonio • www.bigtexasrallyforrecovery.org

Parktoberfest Celebrate German culture, music, food and beverages at Brackenridge Park. There will be live performances and tasting from local craft breweries along with food vendors. • Sept. 28, 4 p.m. • Free • Brackenridge Park, 3700 N. St Mary’s St., San Antonio • www.brackenridgepark.org/event/parktoberfest

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