Nicolette Ardiente is a community organizer, advocate, piano teacher and former small business owner. Ardiente is a non-profit professional who coordinates statewide advocacy efforts supporting the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. She has also been a leader in the Bexar County Young Democrats.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
Nicolette is a passionate advocate for public education, dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality, equitable learning experience. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where all students can thrive and reach their full potential. Nicolette’s professional background includes advocacy in all levels of Texas public government at the legislature, county level and city level for all Texans ranging from issues of vouchers, voter suppression, redistricting and AAPI representation. It is imperative that advocates with strong community ties are at the forefront of initiatives to effectively support San Antonio families; the future of Texas depends on the work we do today and I want to fight for Northside!
List any previous experience in the community or in the education field, such as participation in parent teacher associations, local boards and commissions or neighborhood associations.
- “San Antonio’s National Conversation on Race” Campaign hosted by the Smithsonian Institute featuring the following programming:
- “Bridging Divides: Race, Education, and Storytelling in San Antonio’s Communities” in partnership with SAAACAM, AITSCM, The DoSeum, The Witte Museum, Esperanza Peace & Justice Center
- “Asian American History in San Antonio” in partnership with UT Center for Asian American Studies and local San Antonio AAPI Community Leaders
- Former candidate for Alamo Community Colleges District Board Trustee, District 6 in May 2024
- Bexar County Young Democrats San Antonio, TX, Inaugural President, September 2021 – Present
- Asian American Democrats of South Texas (AADST) San Antonio, TX, President May 2022 – Present
- Bexar County Democratic Party San Antonio, TX, Precinct Chair, Voter Registration Committee Co-Chair August 2020 – Present
- New Leaders Council San Antonio, Board Member at Large, September 2022 – Present
- Rise AAPI San Antonio, TX, Board Member September 2021 – January 2025
If elected, you’ll likely be facing a budget deficit and the possibility of funding hamstrung by the state. How would you approach these issues? Where should the district turn to save money if needed?
In the next two years, with the ongoing deficit budget and the potential implications of vouchers affecting the entire Texas public education system, strategic and impactful leadership will be essential. The most significant issue stemming from potential policy changes is the impact of vouchers that would divert public funds to private schools. This will result in funding shortages, increased inequity that will disproportionately affect public schools serving a higher concentration of disadvantaged students, and a decline in the quality of public education due to both reduced funding and student population. To meet these challenges, we need to advocate for increasing state funding by working with state legislators to ensure that funding keeps pace with inflation and the rising costs of education and also explore alternative revenue sources while optimizing operational efficiencies such as energy consumption, transportation, and administrative processes.
What do you think the district’s biggest challenges are in the coming years, and what should be the board’s top areas of focus?
NISD’s foremost challenge is navigating the widening budget deficit amidst state funding constraints. Teacher and staff concerns highlight the impact: resource limitations, potential program cuts, and widening equity gaps. The board’s top priorities must be: 1) Immediate, transparent communication with all stakeholders—teachers, parents, and taxpayers—detailing the financial realities and proposed solutions. 2) Aggressive advocacy at the state level for equitable funding, emphasizing NISD’s unique needs especially as the largest school district in San Antonio, and student demographics. 3) A comprehensive program and budget review, focusing on strategic resource allocation and operational efficiency, leveraging data to ensure academic excellence and maintain competitive compensation. We must protect classroom resources and ensure every student has access to a high-quality education.
Please list any relevant endorsements in this race.
To date, I’m proud to have earned the endorsement of Northside AFT (#3216) – which is the proud union that represents both the teachers and staff personnel within Northside ISD, and the Asian American Democrats of Texas.
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