The week after City Council voted to put a 1/8 cent sales tax workforce development initiative on the November ballot, the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development Council hosted Mayor Nirenberg to talk about the measure. Mayor Nirenberg outlined the community plan developed by a cross-sector Workforce and Education Development Leadership Team, which included Chamber President and CEO Richard Perez, that was designed to sustain San Antonio’s long-term economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that this is a moment where we can put into motion many of the recommendations from the reports on poverty and the status of women and economic development strategic plans.
If approved, the initiative will redirect the 1/8 cent sales tax to a comprehensive plan that will provide workforce training (reskilling and upskilling), opportunities for degree completion, wraparound services, and emergency financial assistance based on need. The plan, as assembled, will provide second-phase recovery funding starting in September 2021 that will build on the short-term workforce development plan put into place with federal CARES Act funding. The goal is to impact 40,000 residents over a four-year period by getting them the skills they need to secure high-wage, in-demand jobs. Mayor Nirenberg summed up the effort by stating the importance of setting the stage for a better future for our families, neighborhoods, and city.
The EWD Council also heard from Kate Rogers, Director, the Charles Butt Foundation, about the upcoming reauthorization of Pre-K 4 SA that will also be on the November ballot. Rogers gave an overview of the impact of San Antonio’s investment in the program for qualifying four-year olds. In the past eight years, Pre-K 4 SA has served a total of 25,761 kids and trained 21,000 teachers throughout San Antonio and has yielded higher third-grade math and reading scores, an increase in classroom quality, and a decreased need for grade retention among many other positive gains. The positive impact of high-quality Pre-K, family engagement, professional development, and partnership work was shown to lead to future success and produces a return of $7 -- $10 for every $1 invested. Rogers closed by stating, “Pre-K 4 SA is educating the next generation of engaged, productive, and independent citizens for a globally competitive workforce.”
The Chamber has been a long-standing advocate of Pre-K 4 SA and has continuously worked in partnership with industry and educational institutes on workforce development issues. In the coming months the Chamber will develop position statements on both ballot initiatives.
