Every Great Future Starts Somewhere. This November We Decide Where.

Every child in Bexar County follows a different path through education. One may begin in a Pre-K classroom, learning to hold a pencil and share ideas. Another may find direction through a teacher who recognizes their potential or a dual-credit class that opens the door to college and a career.

At UP Partnership, our job is to work alongside K-12, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, funders and workforce partners to make sure every one of those stories can go somewhere great. What we’ve learned is simple: a child’s future doesn’t begin the day after they graduate high school. It begins with a strong start, and it depends on support at every step along the way.

It’s a journey, not a moment

Twenty years ago, San Antonio made a bold commitment to our youngest learners through Pre-K 4 SA. In partnership with our 70% enrollment in a postsecondary experience by 2030 goal, Early Matters also has a bold goal of having 70% of Bexar County students ready for kindergarten. On the ballot this November, we have the chance to continue that commitment and strengthen the entire path from Pre-K through graduation and into a career.

That path looks like this:

– Start Strong. Children who enter kindergarten ready to learn are more likely to read on grade level, graduate, and thrive as adults.

– Learn Strong. Every child deserves a school built for success, with safe facilities, modern classrooms, up-to-date technology, and real academic opportunity.

– Graduate Ready. Today’s students are tomorrow’s nurses, engineers, teachers, cybersecurity professionals, and skilled tradespeople. When they’re prepared, our whole economy benefits.

Public schools’ needs also on the ballot

Our public school districts educate the vast majority of Bexar County’s children, and they do it with limited ways to raise the funds that keep schools strong. This November, Northside ISD, San Antonio ISD, East Central ISD, South San Antonio ISD, and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD are asking voters to consider bonds and Voter-Approval Tax Rate Elections (VATREs).

Districts, use these tools to put dollars where students and teachers need them most:

– Teacher salaries. Recruiting and keeping great teachers is the single most important thing a school can do for a child. VATRE funds support the operating budgets that pay educators competitively.

– Career and Technical Education (CTE). Programs in healthcare, cybersecurity, engineering, and the skilled trades connect students to careers right here in San Antonio.

– Technology. Students need modern tools to learn the skills employers expect.

– Safety and security. Every family deserves to know their child is safe at school.

– Building renovations. Bond funds repair and modernize aging facilities so classrooms are places where students can thrive.

Bonds generally fund facilities, technology, and security, while VATREs support day-to-day operations like teacher pay and programs. Together, they help districts do both.

Why this matters to all of us

You don’t need to have a child in school to have a stake in this. Strong public schools attract talent and jobs. They build the workforce our employers need. They make neighborhoods safer and stronger. They protect the value of our communities. When we invest in kids, we invest in the prosperity of the entire region.

That’s why our community is coming together around a shared vision, through the Future Ready Bexar Plan and a broad coalition of business leaders, parents, educators, nonprofits, and faith leaders. This isn’t a collection of separate efforts. It’s one community deciding what kind of future it wants for its children.

What you can do

Bexar County residents have the chance to say YES to kids at every stage of their educational journey.

– Learn what’s on your ballot. Find your district’s bond and VATRE details here.

– Vote. Bring your family, neighbors, and coworkers with you.

The children of Bexar County are ready for their next chapter. Let’s make sure we’re ready for them.

Dr. Cathy Jones is the CEO of UP Partnership, where she leads collaborative efforts to improve outcomes for children and youth across Bexar County through the Future Ready Bexar County initiative.