Straight to Trades program launches at Boerne ISD, combining trade skills with entrepreneurship
Vocational students in Boerne ISD have a new program to take advantage of, offering 12th grade students the opportunity to learn entrepreneurial and leadership skills before graduation.
Straight to Trades Ownership is a unique program founded in Boerne ISD designed to weld the relationship between trades and business ownership.
Started at the end of October, the program takes students through an 11-week business curriculum led by Andrew Flippo, executive director of the Hope Builds Life nonprofit, which promotes local businesses.
Flippo said this is a pilot program for the organization, which has been in development over the last year.
Boerne ISD tax rate election results canvassed, leading to higher staff pay
The Boerne ISD tax rate is officially approved following the canvassing of the Nov. 4 election results, which showed voter support for the district to use its remaining golden pennies—a funding mechanism the district can use to generate revenue not subject to state recapture.
According to a Nov. 5 news release, Boerne ISD’s voter-approval tax rate election will yield $3 million in local funding and require the state to kick in 60 cents for every dollar.
Over 80% of the total $4.8 million has been earmarked to increase staff salaries, including:
- Restructuring the pay of teachers, nurses and counselors
- Raising the minimum wage of auxiliary workers to $15 per hour and paraprofessional staff to $16 per hour
- Raising the minimum teacher starting pay from $55,142 to $60,000
- Creating special education stipends to retain special education teachers
- $500,000 additional contributions to employee health care premiums
Boerne ISD focuses on safety, security leading into new school year
Boerne ISD safety and security staff are working to ensure students and staff can approach education in a safe environment.
Coming into the 2025-26 school year, House Bill 33 required each school system to have at least one breaching tool and one ballistic shield available at each campus, marking a new unfunded mandate that the district was required to comply with.
Rick Goodrich, chief of safety and security, told Community Impact the school district has been ahead of the curve when it comes to safety measures, utilizing local partnerships and resources to provide the best school security.
Boerne ISD announces purchase of 70-acre tract of land south of Boerne
Boerne ISD on May 20 announced the purchase of a 70-acre tract of land south of Boerne, located off I-10 and Old Fredericksburg Road.
According to a May 20 news release, the land will allow the district to proactively approach future growth.
While the property does not have a specific use, district staff and leaders will evaluate options for the property, including the potential development of a new school or athletic complex.
During the May 12 board of trustees meeting, district staff presented enrollment projections over the next 10 years, highlighting potential needs for campus expansions across the district. No decision on growth was made during the meeting, but officials are actively planning for district needs to determine the best direction for future growth.
Boerne ISD reviews enrollment projections over next 10 years
Boerne ISD board of trustees on May 12 discussed future district growth and where potential facility needs will arise over the next 10 years.
During the meeting, trustees reviewed reduced enrollment projections over the next 10 years to see which campuses may reach capacity.
Overall, district staff said enrollment is expected to decrease slightly over the next year, due to fewer elementary students enrolling and the completion of charter schools in the area.
However, campuses across the district are expected to reach full capacity within the next 10 years, meaning district leaders will need to look into expanding campuses or alternative solutions to make room for students.
Projections show a large portion of growth on the western side of the city, which puts additional students at Viola Wilson and the middle schools on the northern and western sides of the city.
Boerne ISD Aquatic Learning Center reaches substantial completion
The long-awaited Boerne ISD Aquatics Learning Center has reached substantial completion, celebrating a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 15.
Paid for through 2022 bond funds, the facility offers a new home for aquatic sports for students at Champion and Boerne high schools.
According to a Dec. 15 news release, the center features a Myrtha Competition pool, which is the highest internal aquatic standard, with depths from 4 feet to 16 feet. The facility is also Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant and equipped for competitive swimming, diving and water polo.
