Webcast: Pre-K 4 SA Town Hall

Replay the Video: NOWCastSA webcast live on Sept. 18 at Texas Public Radio's KSTX Town Hall on the Brainpower Initiative.

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro's Brainpower Taskforce identified early childhood education as the best way for the city to improve student's academic performance, which led to the development of the Pre-K 4 SA program.

TPR gathered a variety of people to discuss the proposal to increase the city's sales tax by one-eighth of a cent. The money would fund four Education Excellence Centers and provide pre-K for eligible 4-year-olds and in-service training for 2,300 - 3,150 teachers, principals, early education leaders and community providers.

Pre-K 4 SA will go to San Antonio voters on Nov. 6 with early voting beginning Monday, Oct. 22 and concluding Friday, Nov. 2.

You can contribute to the discussion by leaving your questions or comments about Pre-K 4 SA in the blue Community Feedback area to the right of this article. Replay the video here:  Audio of the event can also be heard on KSTX 89.1 FM on the Newsmaker Hour, 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23.

TPR News Director David Martin Davies moderated the conversation between the community and a panel of  proponents and critics of the Pre-K 4 SA plan. Panelists were:

• Jeff Judson – Senior Fellow, Heartland Institute
• John Folks – Retired Superintendent Northside ISD
• Richard Perez – President Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
• Lori Taylor – Professor Texas A&M - Bush School of Government and Public Service
• Ray Lopez – City Council District 6
• Reed Williams – City Council District 8

For more information on the Pre-K 4 SA, see:

• KSTX Town Hall: Brainpower Initiative
• City of San Antonio: Pre-K 4 SA
• Plaza de Armas: Spinning Pre-K 4 SA
• Express-News: Pre-K 4 SA just another Band-Aid
• Express-News: Voters will have final say on Pre-K
• 21 Reasons Why the San Antonio Pre-K Tax Plan Is a Bad Idea By Jeff Judson
• Rackspace Town Hall on Pre-K 4 SA Ballot Measure
• Plaza de Armas: Trust: It's Elementary