San Antonio District Placed Two Officials on Leave
The San Antonio Independent School District placed two senior administrators on leave amid a forensic review of its 2020 bond.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Administration
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On September 4, 2026, the San Antonio Independent School District placed Deputy Superintendent Patti Salzmann and Chief of Staff Toni Thompson on paid administrative leave. The move follows an inquiry into spending and accounting concerns within the district’s 2020 bond program.
Why it matters
The review directly impacts the management of $420 million in unspent 2020 bond funds and the scheduling of planned improvements at local schools. This investigation coincides with an upcoming November 3, 2026, ballot measure for a new $600 million bond proposal.
The district is auditing the $1.3 billion 2020 bond program, of which $420 million remains unspent. Trustees recently delayed construction expenditures for Davis Middle School and Martin Luther King Academy pending these findings.
The players
Patti Salzmann
The Deputy Superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District placed on paid leave.
Toni Thompson
The Chief of Staff who served 46 years at the San Antonio Independent School District.
The details
The district requested proposals from accounting firms on August 19, 2026, to conduct a targeted forensic examination of the 2020 bond program. Findings will be directed to the board of trustees through the Audit Committee to address concerns regarding program spending and accounting. This process aims to clarify the management of the 2020 bond assets while the district prepares for its upcoming November bond election.
Timeline
September 4, 2026: Deputy Superintendent Patti Salzmann and Chief of Staff Toni Thompson were placed on paid leave.
November 3, 2026: The district will hold a general election for a new $600 million bond proposal.
The Home Front
The forensic review of the 2020 bond program highlights the financial scrutiny governing district-wide infrastructure projects. This audit occurs as voters weigh a new $600 million bond proposal on the November 2026 ballot.
Local families should track upcoming board of trustee meetings regarding the future of renovations at Davis Middle School and Martin Luther King Academy. Property owners may also want to review the scope of the $600 million bond proposal ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election.
The takeaway
The forensic audit underscores the importance of transparency in the use of local bond funds for school infrastructure. Residents can monitor the status of renovation projects by checking the official meeting agendas of the San Antonio Independent School District board of trustees.
Further reading
For more on district oversight, see administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Dallas Morning News.
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