Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facility Reuse topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Southwest ISD unveils plan to turn Sky Harbor Elementary into a community 'Harbor Center'
Summary
Southwest ISD trustees heard a detailed concept to repurpose the former Sky Harbor Elementary into the Harbor Center, a multi-agency hub offering a district food pantry, GED/ESL classes, early-childhood services, and specialized supports for neurodivergent youth supported by a $2,000,000 autism services grant.
Dr. Hogan presented a concept to repurpose the former Sky Harbor Elementary into the Harbor Center, a multi-agency facility offering services aimed at South Side families.
The Harbor Center will house a district food pantry and a boutique clothing closet designed to provide a retail-style experience, GED and ESL classes for adult learners, and early-childhood services through a partnership with Parent Child Incorporated. Dr. Hogan also described on-site work-based learning opportunities for neurodivergent young adults, such as a student-run coffee shop and a screen-printing enterprise intended to build job skills and occupational confidence.
Dr. Hogan said the district has convened a coalition of partner agencies that includes the Arc of San Antonio, Parent Child Incorporated (PCI), Respite Care of San Antonio and San Antonio Behavioral Health. He described an ongoing partnership called the STAT collaborative — the South Texas autism team — that unites regional districts, including Southwest ISD, Somerset ISD, Natalia ISD and Brackett ISD to develop shared services and facilities.
The proposal cites a $2,000,000 Innovative Services for Autism grant to support development of therapy and sensory-motor labs and other transition-to-adulthood services for neurodivergent students. Dr. Hogan said the third floor of the building remains available for additional concepts and that district and partner agencies will continue planning work; he said staff will return to the board at a later date with branding and additional vote items.
Board members in attendance thanked presenters and asked scheduling and opening questions. One trustee asked whether the Harbor Center would open next week; staff confirmed further planning and future votes are expected before any opening.
The next procedural step presented by Dr. Hogan is additional board consideration of branding and formal action on implementation details. The board did not take a formal vote on the Harbor Center concept at this meeting.
