A state district judge in San Antonio today refused to block an effort by the San Antoino ISD to bring in a private company to operate Stewart Elementary School on the city's east side, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel sued to block the takeover, which is set to take effect July 1, on the grounds that it violates state law.
SAISD says it is allowed to bring in charter school companies, in this case New York based Democracy Prep, to raise performance levels and graduation rates in low performing public schools like Stewart.
"Democracy Prep also focuses on the whole child through its civic education program and is committed to aligning with SAISD’s shift towards implementing a districtwide restorative justice model. The school will continue to be part of San Antonio ISD and will serve the Stewart community, with performance oversight by the SAISD Board of Trustees," the SAISD said in a statement.
The teachers union is concerned that Democracy Prep will have the authority to choose the teachers at Stewart, and has not committed to rehiring the teachers who are now in place.