Southwest ISD Superintendent Jeanette Ball announced her resignation at a school board meeting on Wednesday, just weeks before the school year is set to begin.
Robin Jerstad, San Antonio Express-News
Less than three weeks until the first day of school, Southwest Independent School District Superintendent Jeanette Ball has resigned, citing a desire to “do something different.” Her resignation will take effect at midnight on Wednesday, and a new interim leader will start Thursday.
District trustees unanimously voted to approve her resignation at a board meeting Wednesday night. She will not complete the final year of her contract, which runs through June 30, 2027. She was paid just over $270,000 annually.
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After approving Ball’s resignation, trustees appointed Deputy Superintendent Brandon Crisp as acting superintendent. Classes begin Aug. 24.
Ball’s departure throws yet another Bexar County school district into leadership upheaval. Since last fall, the superintendents of North East, Northside, San Antonio and Judson ISDs have departed their school systems. None left for another superintendent job.
Following Wednesday night’s vote, Ball said she believed Crisp would do a great job in the role and that her decision to step down was bittersweet.
“Little did I know God would bless me so much,” Ball said. “It was a very hard decision to decide to leave not a job, but a home. But I tell people every day, ‘Be bold. Be courageous. Do something different.’ So, I myself have to take my own advice and do something different.”
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Board Vice President Ida Sudolcan congratulated Ball and thanked her for believing that every child matters. She said the superintendent’s humility, dedication and commitment to the community left an impact that will be felt for years to come.
“What I admire most is your humanity. You were never afraid to ask for help, to listen to others or to bring people together for the good of our district,” Sudolcan said. “You understood that true leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but surrounding yourself with people who share the same commitment to serving others. Because of that, our schools, our staff and our community grew stronger.”
Ball became Southwest ISD superintendent in February 2023 after resigning from the top job at Judson ISD the previous November. At the time, Ball had more than two years remaining on her Judson contract. Judson trustees voted to give her a $140,000 payout— more than half her then-salary. Neither Ball nor Judson trustees publicly gave a reason for her abrupt departure.
The longtime educator began her career with Southwest ISD as a middle school teacher for students learning English. She later became principal of the district’s Big Country Elementary School. After moving on to administrative roles, Ball left SWISD to lead Uvalde Consolidated ISD in 2013. Ball started as superintendent of Judson ISD in 2018.
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During her time at Judson ISD, Ball was named the 2021 Superintendent of the Year by the Education Service Center for Region 20, an area of school districts that includes Bexar County.
Weeks before announcing her resignation from Judson, voters passed a $345 million bond proposal. Soon after Ball joined Southwest ISD, voters approved a $250 million bond election in May 2023.
After announcing she would return to Southwest ISD in 2023, Ball said she was proud to be a part of the district’s community. The district serves nearly 15,000 students on San Antonio’s Southside.
Superintendent turnover across San Antonio
Ball’s departure from SWISD marks the fifth superintendent shakeup across San Antonio’s public school districts this year.
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Southwest ISD joins four of the area’s largest school systems, which all experienced superintendent turnover in 2026.
In January, the Judson ISD board fired its most recent permanent superintendent, Milton Fields, who replaced Ball in 2023. The district has since named four temporary leaders.
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