Mayor Julian Castro pushes pre-K plan

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro pitched his proposal to expand pre-K programs to the San Antonio Independent School District Board of Trustees Monday night.

The plan, which he calls the Brainpower Initiative, would add pre-K services to more than 4,000 children around the city who currently don’t get them.

The program would be funded by a 1/8 cent hike in the city’s sales tax, which would generate about $29 million a year.

“There’s no way to sugarcoat it. I’m asking the voters consider the investment that would be made,” said Castro.

But Monday night, he asked SAISD board members who, despite a few questions, had a positive response to the plan.

“It’s bold, but it’s necessary,” said Board Chairman Ed Garza. “I think San Antonians have come a long way toward understanding the importance of public education.”

The City Council is scheduled to vote whether to put the proposal on the November ballot on Aug. 9.

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