A council consideration request that would have directed the city to formalize a plan to support teachers and school support staff — including partnering with businesses and providing biannual updates from the city’s Commission on Education — failed to advance from the Governance Committee on Wednesday.

The CCR, sponsored by Councilmember Marina Aldrete Gavito (District 7), proposed low- or no-cost city-facilitated measures to help teachers and staff amid local shortages and budget pressures. Staff noted the city has no dedicated staff to support teachers and that existing commissions (Commission on Education, San Antonio Youth Commission, Higher Education Student Advisory Board) already focus on education-related work. Staff recommended referral to the Educational Opportunities Committee.

The motion to refer the item to the new Educational Opportunities Committee produced a split vote in Governance: proponents argued the city could convene chambers and appointee commissions to foster business discounts and other teacher supports; opponents said the topic is primarily the school districts’ responsibility and raised concerns about duplicating community efforts and using scarce staff capacity. The vote resulted in two in favor and two opposed, and the mayor voted no; the motion failed.

Councilmembers said they still support many of the proposal’s goals but differ over whether the city should formally take on coordination and tracking of education-support legislation. Staff and sponsors agreed commissions and community organizations are appropriate partners, and the topic may be reconsidered through committee or other channels in the future.