Michael Valdez is a UTSA student who was first elected to the board in 2022. He previously served on the EISD Teen Board and chaired the San Antonio Youth Commission.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
My name is Michael Valdez, and I am 22 years old. I am a proud graduate and lifelong product of the Edgewood Independent School District. I attended Stafford Elementary School, E.T. Wrenn Middle School, and the Edgewood Fine Arts Academy. I live in the Los Jardines neighborhood near Old Highway 90 and Acme Road.
My connection to Edgewood is personal: the district helped shape my education, my values, and my commitment to public service. I earned an Associate of Arts degree from San Antonio College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where I studied Mexican American Studies and Politics and Law. As a recent graduate of Edgewood schools and a current trustee, I bring the perspective of someone who understands both the district’s proud history and the needs of today’s students and families.
2. Please describe the relevant work experience you bring to this job and any endorsements voters should note.
I have served on the Edgewood ISD Board of Trustees since November 2022. In that role, I have helped make decisions that affect students, educators, families, and taxpayers while working to ensure the district remains focused on academic achievement, responsible stewardship, and opportunities for every student.
I also completed a year-long fellowship through the Texas Association of School Boards to become a Texas Master School Board Trustee. This program strengthened my understanding of school finance, governance, policy, ethics, superintendent evaluation, community engagement, and the responsibilities of effective board leadership.
As a young trustee and proud Edgewood graduate, I bring both firsthand experience with our schools and formal training in the work of school governance. I am committed to listening, learning, and making informed decisions that put students first.
3. Why did you decide to seek this office and how you would approach the role?
I decided to seek office because I wanted to give back to the district that helped educate and shape me. As a recent Edgewood graduate, I understand the importance of having teachers, staff members, families, and community members who believe in students and push them to succeed.
I am seeking another term because I want to continue advocating for high-quality schools, strong support for educators and staff, responsible use of taxpayer resources, and meaningful opportunities for every Edgewood student. I approach the role of trustee with humility, preparation, and a commitment to listening. A school board member should represent the entire community, ask thoughtful questions, study the facts, and make decisions based on what is best for students.
Edgewood students deserve leaders who believe in their potential and work every day to help them succeed.
4. How would you solicit input and feedback from constituents?
I believe school board service requires consistent communication and a willingness to listen. I welcome input from students, parents, educators, staff members, alumni, neighborhood leaders, and all Edgewood residents. The people most affected by district decisions should have meaningful opportunities to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas.
I solicit feedback by attending school and community events, being accessible through email and social media, speaking directly with families and employees, and listening during public meetings. I also value hearing from people who may not normally attend a board meeting or feel comfortable speaking publicly.
When constituents reach out, I commit to listening respectfully, follow up when appropriate, and use their feedback to better understand the real-life impact of board decisions. Even when I cannot agree with every viewpoint, I believe every member of our community deserves to be heard.
5. What do you see as the biggest challenges your school district is facing and what strategies would you want to implement as solutions?
The biggest challenges facing Edgewood ISD are declining enrollment, budget deficits, the need for stronger state investment in public education, and ensuring that our students learn in the high-quality facilities they deserve.
As enrollment declines, we must work to ensure Edgewood remains a district that families choose for their children. That means continuing to invest in strong academics, fine arts, career and technical education, special education services, safe campuses, and programs that meet the needs of every student.
We must also approach the district’s budget responsibly and transparently. Our priority should be protecting classrooms, supporting teachers and staff, preserving the student services and programs that make a real difference for families, and maintaining facilities that are safe, welcoming, and conducive to learning. I will continue advocating for fair and reliable funding from the State of Texas. Edgewood students deserve the resources, opportunities, and learning environments necessary to succeed, and our educators deserve the support and compensation needed to continue serving our community.
Read more
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