Elias Hernandez is a full-time dad with a background in construction. He is seeking the Place 2 position on the Edgewood ISD Board of Trustees.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
My name is Elias Javier Hernandez, age 35. I live in the Edgewood community. My family has been here for 2 generations. I attended Loma Park Elementary, Truman Middle School and Memorial High School. I’m a full-time dad and work in the construction industry.
2. Please describe the relevant work experience you bring to this job and any endorsements voters should note.
As a full-time dad and lifelong member of the Edgewood community, I bring lived experience that is directly relevant to serving as a school board trustee. I have raised children through elementary, middle, and high school, giving me firsthand experience with the challenges families and students face throughout their educational journey.
My experience working in construction has also given me valuable insight into the skilled trades and the workforce needs of San Antonio. I understand the importance of preparing students not only for college, but also for high-demand careers and opportunities that can provide a strong future.
Most importantly, I bring the perspective of a parent, community member, and advocate who understands the importance of listening to families, supporting educators, improving opportunities for students, and making decisions that put our children and community first.
3. Why did you decide to seek this office and how you would approach the role?
I decided to seek this office because I believe our students, parents, teachers, and community deserve leadership that listens, asks questions, and puts our children first. I want to advocate for greater accountability and transparency from our school officials, so our community understands how and why decisions are being made. As a parent, I am deeply concerned about our next generation. Our students deserve better, and we must address the areas where our school system is falling short.
I also want to help prevent further state intervention or a potential TEA takeover by addressing declining academic performance and demanding meaningful improvement. I will promote responsible management of school funds, ensuring every dollar is used wisely and focused on our students, teachers, and schools.
Finally, I will work to strengthen parent engagement because parents should have a voice and be active partners in their children’s education.
4. How would you solicit input and feedback from constituents?
I would welcome opportunities to meet with our community on a regular basis and make myself accessible to parents, students, teachers, and community members. Listening directly to their concerns, ideas, and experiences is essential to making informed decisions as a school board trustee.
I would hold regular community conversations and create opportunities for constituents to share feedback outside of board meetings. I also believe the district should have clear policies and practices that genuinely welcome and encourage family engagement not simply invite parents to attend, but ensure their voices are heard, respected, and considered in decisions that affect their children.
My approach would be simple: listen, follow up, ask questions, and work to ensure the concerns of our community are brought forward and addressed.
5. What do you see as the biggest challenges your school district is facing and what strategies would you want to implement as solutions?
I believe Edgewood ISD’s biggest challenges include declining enrollment, consecutive years of academic struggles, teacher turnover, and the need for stronger family engagement.
My approach would begin with accountability and closely monitoring key student and district metrics so we can identify problems early and measure whether our strategies are working. We need to ensure our curriculum is aligned with student needs and that teachers receive meaningful professional development that provides practical support in the classroom.
I would also want to examine current hiring and retention practices, listen to teachers about what is affecting morale, and identify ways to attract and retain quality educators. Finally, we must create an environment where students are motivated to attend school, feel supported, and see a clear connection between their education and their future.
Strong schools require strong partnerships among students, families, educators, and district leadership.
