Express-News Editorial: For Southwest ISD trustees, we recommend the challengers

By Express-News Editorial Board 

Southwest Independent School District has about 13,000 students, is growing and rarely makes headlines. But three candidates vying for school board seats say voting isn't accessible, and the district needs improved representation and transparency. We agree.

The board’s seven trustees, who serve three-year terms, are elected at-large.  

Incumbents Florinda Bernal, Eugene James Sullivan Jr. and Daniel Ray Carrillo didn't respond to our repeated requests for comment. They also did not respond to an Express-News reporter. 

WE RECOMMEND THEIR CHALLENGERS, PETE BERNAL, YOLANDA GARZA-LOPEZ, AND CARLA REYES MEDINA. 

Part of the reason is transparency. Instead of holding elections jointly with the Bexar County elections office as most area school districts do, Southwest ISD holds its own election in the small city of Lytle in Atascosa County.

 But Southwest isn't only a rural district. The district is becoming more urban, covering some San Antonio neighborhoods. So voters must visit two polling locations if they want to cast a ballot in the Southwest ISD election and in a municipal race.

Early voting in the May 4 election begins Monday and ends April 30 at the Southwest ISD administration office and McAuliffe Middle School. On Election Day, poll sites include four schools, the Southwest ISD administration office, and the Horace Fincher Center in Lytle.

Voting should not come with so many obstacles. 

RELATED: ‘Anti-democratic’: Once again, Southwest ISD’s very unusual elections are an election issue

Garza-Lopez, who served as a board trustee for 15 years, was unseated last year. Her experience on the board would be an asset. 

Bernal, a 15-year Army veteran and avid district volunteer, was unseated a year ago after serving more than two years on the board. He espouses a servant-leadership style, and he's passionate about equity. 

Reyes Medina believes the board has grown too complacent. 

All three have had or have children and grandchildren in the district. They advocate single-member districts, higher teacher pay, and enrollment-based funding.

They're the kind of candidates district residents should support — if they vote.

April 18, 2024

Express-News Editorial Board

OPINION STAFF