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Unidos proposes Soccer Central lease; TEA probes security, contingency plans and transportation funding
Summary
Unidos told TEA it plans to lease classroom space at Soccer Central San Antonio, budget for vans using per‑pupil revenue, and negotiate facility finish‑out; TEA staff asked about contingency sites, insurance and compliance with state transportation reimbursement rules.
Unidos Soccer Leadership Academy representatives told Texas Education Agency staff the school intends to negotiate a lease with Soccer Central San Antonio and retrofit existing space for classrooms and administrative offices.
Board members said Soccer Central provided a letter of intent and a later follow‑up confirming willingness to negotiate space. The applicants said the second floor could be retrofitted to fit five classrooms in year one, with additional flexible rooms on the first floor and other breakout spaces suitable for offices.
On funding and ownership, the applicants said they would initially “allocate a portion of our per pupil revenue towards paying for a lease” and described long‑term options such as low‑cost facilities financing to purchase or improve buildings. The team acknowledged the facility is privately owned and said they expect to be long‑term tenants where the ownership group would develop school‑specific space over time.
TEA staff asked whether any applicants are related to facility owners; the team replied no. Staff also pressed for contingency plans if Soccer Central became unavailable. Unidos said alternative partners could include San Antonio FC or local ISDs and that the city and county have infrastructure that could support the model in other locations.
Safety and security were discussed repeatedly. Applicants said they had reviewed external and internal security and are planning access control and finish‑out features for the school footprint; TEA members asked whether Soccer Central’s existing insurance would cover student injuries from daily training. Unidos said insurance arrangements had not been fully explored and flagged the need for further review.
On transportation, the applicants said they budgeted $120,000 to purchase four vans and planned to supplement public transit options; TEA staff cautioned that certain vehicle types (for example, some 15‑passenger vans) may not be eligible for state transportation reimbursement and asked how Soccer Central’s vans would be used or shared. The applicants said van usage and driving arrangements were still being negotiated and would be calibrated to enrollment patterns.
Applicants said UT Health Science Center and other sports‑medicine partners have existing ties to Soccer Central; they presented these partnerships as part of their plan to address student health needs while they refine on‑site medical staffing.
