Amid $46M deficit, SAISD superintendent continues district-funded cross-country journey

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Independent School District’s outgoing superintendent went on not less than 36 district-funded journeys throughout his tenure, in keeping with information reviewed by KSAT Investigates.

We are following by on a viewer’s request to revisit a earlier KSAT investigation into Jaime Aquino’s journey.

In 2024, KSAT Investigates discovered SAISD spent $21,000 on Aquino’s 22 journeys on the time, which included conferences in tropical locations, movie star audio system and “rightsizing research trips.”

New information reviewed by KSAT Investigates present the spending and journey hasn’t stopped.

Financial woes

San Antonio ISD has spent the spring on the lookout for methods to chop its $46 million deficit in half, whereas additionally looking for its subsequent superintendent.

In March, Aquino introduced he would retire from the district in January 2027. He turned the district’s superintendent in May 2022.

Aquino has been the topic of a number of KSAT Investigates tales in recent times, lots of which deal with the district’s spending.

A January 2024 KSAT investigation revealed, beneath Aquino’s watch, the district spent greater than $9 million from its 2020 bond at campuses that had been scheduled to close down.

Two months later, KSAT Investigates discovered how misinformation from the district and insufficient heating throughout winter climate in January 2024 contributed to dozens of faculties to shut down for a number of days.

The district additionally spent practically $500,000 on a single expense: a advisor. Tens of 1000’s had been additionally spent on attorneys to assessment media information requests whereas SAISD was strapped for money.

Teachers like Cynthia Beaver hopes the district’s subsequent chief focuses on funds.

“Stop with the frivolous spending and the things that we don’t need,” she stated.

From D.C. to Harvard to Houston, Aquino’s journey spending persevered throughout funds cuts

Since Aquino started main SAISD in 2022, information present the district has spent not less than $36,000 on his journey.

Fifteen of these journeys occurred after KSAT’s first story about his district-funded journeys, which amounted to round $14,000.

Records revealed Aquino traveled to Washington D.C. in February 2025 to talk on an schooling panel at a celebration of the achievements and contributions of Dominican Americans. He was invited by Congressman Adrian Espaillat (D-NY). Records present that journey value the district round $700.

Aquino traveled to Harvard University in Massachusetts in July 2025 for 5-day public schooling management challenge. Records present the district paid $588.73 for meals, lodging and airfare.

Receipts and emails present Aquino traveled to Houston ISD not less than twice in 2025.

Houston is a couple of three-hour drive from San Antonio. Instead, information present Aquino flew there. Airfare for Aquino’s two-day journey to Houston ISD in July 2025 value the district $569.05, whereas one other aircraft ticked for a two-day go to in September 2025 was $543.79.

Houston ISD superintendent Mike Miles invited Aquino, in keeping with emails reviewed by KSAT Investigates. Miles based constitution community Third Future Schools, which is taking on three SAISD colleges.

“No more trips,” stated Rose Hill, who lives in SAISD.

With the present deficit and modifications, she believes now’s the time for the district to tighten its purse strings.

“Right now, our schools are hurting,” she stated. “I think we need to cut back on the trips. We need to get back on everything until we get our finances under control.”

Hill wished to know the way Aquino’s journeys are benefitting the group — and KSAT Investigates wished to know too.

Last month, we reached out to the district to ask for an interview to ask how the journeys benefitted college students and workers and the fiscal well being of the district, in addition to the influence of Third Future Schools.

SAISD’s Chief Communications Officer Laura Short refused to make Aquino obtainable for an interview with KSAT Investigates, regardless of us offering a number of dates.

We emailed the next inquiries to Short:

• How have these journeys benefitted SAISD college students and their schooling?

• With the district dealing with a $46M deficit and trying to make cuts, how do you justify spending $14,000 of taxpayer {dollars} on journeys, that are primarily out of state?

• What do you say to those that imagine this cash could possibly be higher spent to help college students?

• Two of the journeys final yr had been to Houston ISD colleges. The superintendent on the time is now tied to Third Future colleges.

  • Why was SAISD going to satisfy them in Houston?

  • How does the district justify spending over $1,000 on flights to Houston as an alternative of driving?

In a press release, Short defended Aquino’s intensive journey. The assertion didn’t immediately reply KSAT’s questions.

“Leading a large urban school district like SAISD requires staying connected to what’s working – and what isn’t – across similar districts. Travel to national and regional education conferences, along with campus visits in comparable districts, is purposeful professional work focused on improving student outcomes. These convenings provide direct access to peers facing the same challenges, allowing SAISD to compare strategies, adopt proven practices, and avoid costly mistakes. The insights gained are applied to support educators, improve systems, and make more informed decisions for students and taxpayers.”

Laura Short

Know one thing the general public ought to find out about SAISD? Reach out to Daniela at [email protected]

Read extra reporting on the KSAT Investigates web page.