SAN ANTONIO – For more than a decade, Pre-K 4 SA has played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of San Antonio, providing thousands of children with an essential head start in their early learning journey. As the program continues to evolve, San Antonio voters are faced with a significant decision to extend its funding for another 20 years.
On the ballot for November 3, Proposition A seeks to reauthorize the existing one-eighth-cent sales tax that funds Pre-K 4 SA, ensuring that the tax rate remains unchanged while continuing to support this vital initiative.
Dr. Sarah Baray, who has served as Pre-K 4 SA’s CEO for the past ten years, emphasizes the profound impact the program has on families across the city. “We serve 2,000 children directly. We serve another almost 5,000 for our partner providers,” Baray stated, highlighting the extensive reach of the initiative.
Originally approved by voters in 2012 under the leadership of then-Mayor Julián Castro, Pre-K 4 SA received renewed funding in 2020. Castro, who remains a strong advocate for the program, views it as a crucial investment in the future workforce of San Antonio. He remarked, “Whether it’s 2026 or 2036 or beyond that, San Antonio is going to need to make sure that it has as strong an educated workforce as possible. And that’s what Pre-K 4 SA is helping to deliver.”
In addition to its four dedicated education centers, Pre-K 4 SA is committed to enhancing the quality of early childhood education by providing professional development for thousands of educators and collaborating with nearly 100 childcare providers throughout the region. Baray noted, “I think what people know even less about is the fact that in addition to our schools, we work with thousands of early childhood educators every year.”
Should Proposition A be approved, the extended funding would facilitate plans to expand infant and toddler care options, strengthen partnerships, and increase childcare availability for families working non-traditional hours.
Conversely, if the proposition is rejected, the current funding will remain in place until March 2029, although Baray indicated that the City Council could potentially place the matter back on the ballot in 2027 or 2028.
Amid these discussions, some parents express concerns about what the future holds for the program. “The parents are asking, ‘What’s going to happen and what will this mean?’” Baray explained, acknowledging the uncertainty that surrounds the upcoming vote.
Despite the unpredictability of the election outcome, Baray remains cautiously optimistic about the future of Pre-K 4 SA. “I’m cautiously optimistic, because I’m an optimist by nature, but I also, you know, I worry, because you don’t know how elections are going to go,” she shared, reflecting the hopes and anxieties of many stakeholders involved.
