The details
According to a news release, the town halls will feature Inga Cotton, founder of SACM, who will discuss up-to-date information about the ESAs, including what type of families and students may qualify, how the money is distributed and what type of expenses will be approved.
ESA details include:
- Students with learning and physical disabilities may qualify for more ESA money
- Private schools are not subject to federal special education laws
- Not every private school will choose to become an approved provider
- Families hoping to use the funds for homeschooling, or a non-accredited school, will have access to smaller allocations
- ESA funding is limited, and families should apply as soon as possible
“We want to make sure that this money goes to families who need it the most,” said Cotton. “What I hope is that a year from now, there will be thousands of happy families in San Antonio who can access a private school education for their kids that they weren’t able to access before,” says Cotton.
Town hall schedule:
- July 31, 6-7 p.m. at The Discovery School, 222 Salem Drive
- Aug. 21, 6-7 p.m. at Vineyard Christian School, 15310 Huebner Road
- Aug. 28, 6-7 p.m. will be held virtually
The event is free and open to the public, with registration.
The background
The ESA is a $1 billion fund set aside for families to use on private school tuition and other expenses, such as textbooks and transportation.
According to reporting from Community Impact, most participating students will have access to 85% of the per-student funding public schools receive from state and local sources, which amounts to roughly $10,330 in the first year of the program.
“Gone are the days that families are limited to only the school assigned to them by [the] government,” Abbott said. “Today has arrived and empowers parents to choose the school that is best for their child,” said Gov. Greg Abbott.
The program will start at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.
