Pete Bernal, 50, served as a board trustee from 2020 to 2023. He is a retired veteran and sought who sought reelection in 2023 and 2024 but lost.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
My name is Pete Bernal. I am a proud U.S. military veteran, community advocate, and longtime resident of the Southwest ISD community. After serving our country, I continued my commitment to public service by working with local organizations, including the American GI Forum, to support veterans, families, and students. I have spent years advocating for transparency, accountability, and stronger public schools because I believe education is the foundation of opportunity for every child. My experience working with community groups, parents, and educators has given me a clear understanding of the challenges our schools face and the importance of strong leadership. I believe school board members should be visible in the community, listen to families and teachers, and ensure decisions are made with students’ best interests in mind.
Please describe the relevant work experience you bring to this job and any endorsements voters should note.
I bring years of community leadership, advocacy, and public service to this role. As a U.S. military veteran and community leader, I have worked closely with families, educators, and local organizations to advocate for strong public schools, transparency, and accountability in our district. Through my work with community groups and civic organizations, including the American GI Forum, I have gained experience addressing policy issues and speaking up for students, teachers, and taxpayers.
In past elections, I have been recognized and endorsed multiple times by the San Antonio Express-News editorial board for this position. In previous election cycles, voter participation in our district faced barriers that limited turnout. With recent election changes expanding voting access, I believe more community members will have the opportunity to participate this year, and higher voter turnout will allow the voices of Southwest ISD families to be heard.
Why did you decide to seek this office and how would you approach the role?
I decided to run for the Southwest ISD Board of Trustees because I believe our students deserve strong leadership that is willing to stand up for them. Our district is facing important decisions about school funding, student opportunities, and the future of our campuses. I believe trustees must be independent, transparent, and focused on what is best for students, teachers, and families.
My approach will be simple: listen to the community, ask the tough questions, and make decisions that protect and strengthen public education. I also believe leadership should go beyond the boardroom. Trustees should advocate for their district with state leaders and policymakers to ensure our schools receive the resources they need.
Southwest ISD students deserve champions who will speak up for them, work collaboratively with the community, and ensure our schools continue to move forward.
How would you solicit input and feedback from constituents?
Community input is essential to strong school leadership. I believe trustees must actively engage with parents, teachers, students, and residents to understand their concerns and ideas. I plan to regularly attend campus events, community meetings, and neighborhood gatherings to hear directly from families. I also believe in maintaining open communication through social media and community forums so residents can easily stay informed and share feedback. Hosting periodic town halls and listening sessions would also provide opportunities for meaningful discussion about district issues. When leaders listen first, they are better prepared to make thoughtful decisions that reflect the needs of the entire Southwest ISD community.
What do you see as the biggest challenges your school district is facing and what strategies would you want to implement as solutions?
One of the biggest challenges facing Southwest ISD is ensuring our schools have the resources they need to serve students effectively. Public school districts across Texas are dealing with funding pressures, teacher shortages, and increasing expectations placed on educators. We must continue advocating for fair state funding so our district can maintain strong academic programs, safe campuses, and competitive support for teachers and staff.
Student safety is also a critical priority. Our schools must remain safe environments where students can focus on learning and growing. That means ensuring policies and resources are in place to support both safety and student well-being.
Finally, strong leadership requires transparency and community involvement. I believe trustees must listen to parents, teachers, and students while also advocating beyond the boardroom—working with lawmakers and community leaders to bring the resources Southwest ISD students deserve.
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