Reflecting on Pete Bernal's Tenure: A Statement from SWISD Former Board Trustee Yolanda Garza-Lopez

I am reaching out to the SWISD community to address a matter that concerns us deeply. As a fellow board member who has closely observed Pete Bernal's journey during his tenure with us, I feel compelled to provide some context to his experiences and the challenges he has faced. The following statement was given by me as a key witness in his grievance against the board and offers a poignant reflection on Pete's dedication, resilience, and the unfortunate adversities he encountered while serving on the board. It is my sincere hope that by sharing this statement, we can foster a greater understanding of Pete's contributions and the importance of fostering an inclusive and respectful environment within our school district.

-Yolanda Garza-Lopez

Witness Statement

As a fellow board member during Pete Bernal’s tenure on the SWISD board, I am here today to corroborate his statement that he has experienced severe and pervasive harassment on a continuous basis at the hands of multiple members of this board. Not only is it wrong, it is contradictory for some board members to advocate for special education students and have personal experience with the learning disabled while at the same time discriminating against someone facing similar challenges.  This inconsistency highlights the importance of promoting inclusivity and understanding across multiple aspects of diversity, including cognitive differences. 

I did not know Pete Bernal very well when he got on the school board in Nov 2020.  At our first school board training, I was very surprised when he decided to share his story with everyone.  He was transparent, trusting and completely vulnerable.   For me, his revelations informed all our previous interactions.  In an instant, I understood.  I understood the challenges that Pete had to overcome on a daily basis in order to operate successfully.   As you know, I am very familiar with the challenges that come with traumatic brain injury.  Someone very close to me that I love very much experienced traumatic brain injury in a work related accident, just like Pete. I remember feeling worried at the time. Worried that his honesty would be used against him in the future.

After 15 years on the board, I knew this was a very real possibility.  I had heard and called out bigoted comments from board members in the past, including expressions of racism, sexism and homophobia.

The next several years proved that my fears were not misplaced.  The leadership on this school board was wholly intolerant of everything he did and everything he said.  The effort was to contain him and muzzle him.  He was harassed constantly and relentlessly.  The instances are numerous and provable.   The meeting and training videos are full of examples.  It got to the 

point where I was compelled to respond and defend him, understanding the anxiety that can be triggered when a person with traumatic brain injury is under such intense pressure simply for being himself.

I am here to set the record straight about Pete Bernal.  Pete Bernal has more than established his professional credibility and expertise during his tenure in the office of SWISD school board trustee with a lifetime of service to his country, community and friends and family.  His extensive education and achievements reflect a career dedicated to integrity and maintaining the highest ethical standards. 

He enlisted in the reserves in 1998 and served his country a total of 15 years in the military thru 2014.  His primary MOS was that of a Combat Medic.  He was called up for multiple deployments after serving in 9/11, 2001 Operation Enduring Freedom.  He re-enlisted for active duty from 2004-2014.  He was promoted to non-commissioned officer and attended multiple leadership schools before being honorably discharged with a rank of Sergeant and receiving a 100% disability rating due to injuries sustained during his service. 

He is a disabled vet.

His road to recovery from traumatic brain injury has been long and arduous, but he has refused to give up and continually challenges himself to maximize his recovery. He earned 2 associate degrees in both Global Logistics and Advanced Manufacturing in 2022.  He is graduating with his first Bachelor’s Degree in General Business tomorrow from Texas A&M and is on schedule to earn his second bachelor degree from the same university in Marketing in May 2024.  All this while serving his community extensively in a volunteer capacity culminating with his stint as SW School Board Trustee from 2020-2023.                                                   

He has been, to date, the hardest working board member I have ever met.  He was energetic and joyous in his daily interactions with our community.  He took his duties seriously and prepared constantly by reading, studying and training at an unparalleled pace.  He had many conversations and asked a lot of questions striving to understand the intricacies of running a school district in service of everyone.  He tried to understand why the school board was out of compliance in so many critical areas and pushed for remedies.        

Now, I suspect that the seven of you  have already addressed this case with district lawyers during the special meeting held on December 13th, 2023, which was presented under the pretext of board evaluations and responsibilities. 

I am sure the district lawyer gave you his feedback, but ultimately told you that you can do whatever you want because you are the board.  

New board members, I am pretty sure you don’t fully know how the intricacies of a grievance process are supposed to unfold. Let me enlighten you.

First,  the protocol mandates a complete avoidance of case discussions, especially behind closed doors and before the hearing. 

Second, no board member should exert pressure on you to sway your decision or dictate your vote.

Third, if the aforementioned  has occurred, I can categorically state that this board is operating outside of policy and procedure and furthermore in violation of Pete Bernal’s due process.  

In the past, leadership on this board has been expert at avoiding accountability by ignoring new policies and procedures implemented by TEA and avoiding or ignoring the latest training.  This culture of avoidance and ignorance has culminated in a board that thinks it is okay to cherry pick the policies and procedures it chooses to follow or ignore them. Confident in the fact that no one can or will hold them accountable.  Additionally, they will catastrophize the consequences of any one individual vote that does not fall into line with the desired outcome and apply maximum pressure to ensure a unanimous vote against taking responsibility and/or accountability for any of their actions.  

It is imperative that the gravity of the situation surrounding Pete Bernal's tenure on the SWISD board be acknowledged and addressed in good faith. The evidence presented today paints a stark picture of a board member who, despite facing personal challenges and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to both his community and the betterment of the school district, has been subjected to severe and pervasive harassment.

The call for inclusivity and understanding extends beyond the realm of cognitive differences; it encompasses the fundamental principles of fairness, respect, and adherence to due process. Pete Bernal's exemplary service to his country, community, and the SWISD board should not be overshadowed by a culture of intolerance and discrimination within the leadership.

To the new board members, it is crucial to uphold the integrity of the grievance process. Transparency, unbiased consideration, and adherence to established policies and procedures are paramount. Any attempts to influence or pressure decision-making undermine the principles of justice and due process.

As you deliberate on the matters presented, remember the importance of accountability and the responsibility that comes with serving on a board entrusted with shaping the educational landscape of our community. The challenges faced by Pete Bernal are a testament to the broader need for a culture of inclusivity and understanding, one that respects and values the diversity of experiences among its members.

It is my hope that, in addressing this situation, the SWISD board will set a precedent for fostering an environment where every member, regardless of personal circumstances, is treated with dignity, fairness, and the respect they deserve.