Northside ISD trustees will face big issues
Northside ISD, the fourth-largest school district in Texas, has benefited from two consecutive strong superintendents and a committed school board. As it begins a new chapter with a new superintendent, it’s crucial the school board remain focused on meeting the needs of students and teachers. Four NISD trustee seats are on the ballot.
Candidates Salcido, Lopez, Duran and Blount show qualifications to fill the posts
As our board meets with school board candidates, our prevailing concern is whether they can deliver the best policies for students and teachers during a tumultuous moment in public education. Most of the candidates we met from Northside ISD convinced us they can do the job.
In District 1, Amy Hoffmann and David Salcido, are capable. Salcido, a father, grandfather, disabled U.S. Army veteran and former Bexar County Sheriff ’s Department detention officer who unsuccessfully ran for school board in 2019, provided a few examples of raising concerns to campus and district officials. He would represent the district well and would be particularly focused on campus security. He gets our recommendation.
We were impressed with Hoffmann’s enthusiasm, ideas and work in the district, but we cannot recommend her.
Hoffmann was at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. 2021, one of the darkest days in American history. While she attended the rally, she said she was not part of the violent insurrection. While she acknowledged Joe Biden is president, she also told us she harbors doubts about the 2020 election — which is extremely troubling for someone seeking elected office. We had hoped to hear more regret from her about that disturbing day and a complete affirmation that Biden won the presidency. That didn’t happen.
In terms of school board issues, particularly involvement with NISD, Hoffmann was impressive.
It’s clear Hoffmann’s life revolves around kids. She’s PTA mom extraordinaire. A Northside graduate and mother of five, she has served the district in various ways for 14 years. She heaped praise on the Northside ISD board and outgoing Superintendent Brian Woods. She opposes vouchers and book bans and spoke passionately about school security.
We can only hope Hoffmann comes to see the 2020 presidential election with the same clarity she sees education issues.
In District 2, we recommend incumbent Gerald Lopez for a third term. First elected in 2015, he serves as vice president of the board. Lopez, a
small business owner, is a father to three. His board experience and desire to find more ways to serve students would be a benefit to the district.
In District 3, we recommend Karla Duran, a single mother who has experience as a school administrator, teacher and adjunct professor. A San Antonio ISD assistant principal, Duran seeks to increase parent and community engagement, increase teacher and staff support and student success. Duran’s professional and lived experience would serve Northside well. We were especially impressed with her knowledge of school safety and support of bilingual education.
We’re also impressed with Ty Chumbley, a Palo Alto College professor, department chair and Northside graduate. His mother, M’lissa M. Chumbley is a Northside trustee who is retiring. Chumbley understands the community and its changing needs and has a desire to serve. He would be a great trustee.
Vera Billingsley also met with us. But she has misguided ideas about education. She has no place on a school board.
In District 4, we were impressed with Jordan Wagner, a mother, substitute teacher, small business owner and community volunteer; and George Ayala, a father, U.S. Army veteran, community volunteer and director of procurement for Opportunity Home San Antonio. But there’s no comparison to Trustee Bobby Blount’s experience and dedication to Northside.
We recommend Blount for another term.
A U.S. Air Force veteran and father, Blount has served on Northside ISD’S board since 1999. He’s also the president of the Bexar County School Board Coalition, chair of the Texas Caucus of Black School Board Members and president of the Go Public campaign. Blount is an asset to Northside ISD — and public education in Texas.