As Texas approaches the important May 3 school board elections, educator unions are actively endorsing candidates who align with their vision for public education. Notably, the Northside American Federation of Teachers (Northside AFT) and Socorro AFT are at the forefront of these efforts, advocating for leadership that prioritizes the needs of educators and students alike.
In the Northside Independent School District (NISD), the state’s fourth-largest district, four trustee positions are contested. Northside AFT has endorsed a slate of candidates across these districts:
- District 2: Dr. Sonia Jasso
- District 5: Laura Zapata
- District 6: Nicolette Ardiente
- District 7: Larissa Martinez
These endorsements reflect the union’s commitment to supporting candidates who advocate for robust public education resources to best serve our students. The upcoming election has the potential to shift the board’s majority towards union-backed trustees, a significant change from the current composition where only two of the seven members have union support. This shift could influence decisions on critical issues such as budget allocations, class sizes, and responses to proposed state policies like private school vouchers.
The two union-backed trustees, Karla Duran and David Salcido, were both elected to their first four-year term in 2023. Since their elections, there have been several 5-2 votes on important decisions, with Duran and Salcido dissenting in support of the union. A notable instance occurred in March 2024, when the board denied an AFT grievance concerning pay disparities among auxiliary staff. Additionally, while some district officials have indicated support for private school vouchers in exchange for additional public school funding, the union remains firmly opposed to such measures, advocating instead for robust support of public schools that serve all students.
Meanwhile, in the Socorro Independent School District (SISD), Socorro AFT has released their own slate of endorsements for its school board:
- District 2: Shawn Ollis
- District 3: Charles Smith
- District 4: Paul Guerra
- District 5: Gary Gandara
As early voting commences on April 22, the active participation of educators, parents, and community members will be crucial in shaping the future of public schools in these districts.