In our house, it’s always an Education Election. How will the November 3, 2020 election affect education issues in San Antonio and Texas? Here is our analysis of state and local races, with links to reliable news sources. Also, here are the election results from the San Antonio Express-News.
San Antonio ISD Bonds
Voters approved both sets of bonds for San Antonio ISD to improve campus facilities and technology.
Read More About San Antonio ISD Bonds
- “San Antonio ISD bond, the largest ever, approved,” Silvia Foster-Frau, San Antonio Express-News, November 3, 2020
- “San Antonio ISD passes $1.3 billion bond, largest in city history,” Jackie Wang and J.J. Velasquez, San Antonio Report, November 3, 2020
- “Democrats Flip D5 State Board Of Education Seat, And Everything Else You Need To Know About San Antonio’s Education Election Results,” Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio, November 4, 2020
City of San Antonio Initiatives
The sales tax that funds Pre-K 4 SA will continue for the next eight years.
Read More About City of San Antonio Initiatives
- “San Antonio voters approve ballot measures for workforce development, transit & Pre-K,” Joshua Fechter and Bruce Selcraig, San Antonio Express-News, November 3, 2020
- “San Antonio voters give thumbs-up to workforce, pre-K, and transportation ballot measures,” Iris Dimmick, San Antonio Report, November 3, 2020
- “Democrats Flip D5 State Board Of Education Seat, And Everything Else You Need To Know About San Antonio’s Education Election Results,” Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio, November 4, 2020
School Board Trustees
In North East ISD, incumbents Sandy Hughey (District 1), Omar Leos (District 3), David Beyer (District 4), and Shannon Grona (District 5) are likely to win their races. In District 6, Robert “Steve” Hilliard is likely to win a plurality over incumbent Tony Jaso.
In South San Antonio ISD, in District 1, Gina Villagomez defeated incumbent Veronica Barba. In District 2, Ernesto Arrellano Jr. won. Connie Prado did not win a seat on the Alamo Colleges board of trustees, so will continue to serve as a trustee in South San.
In Southwest ISD, Pete “Pedro” Bernal III defeated incumbent Mike Frazier, who had served on the board since 1980. Yolanda Garza-Lopez was re-elected.
In surrounding areas: New Braunfels ISD voters elected John E. Tucker as trustee for District 4 and Nancy York as trustee for District 2.
Read More About School Board Races
- “New Braunfels ISD board election in uncharted waters after ballot snafu,” Andres Picon, San Antonio Express-News, November 6, 2020
- “Voters retire a 40-year incumbent in San Antonio area school district,” Krista Torralva, San Antonio Express-News, November 6, 2020
- “Two new faces will be at South San ISD board meetings,” Krista Torralva, San Antonio Express-News, November 3, 2020
- “All but one of North East ISD board’s incumbents hold onto leads against challengers,” Krista Torralva, San Antonio Express-News, November 3, 2020
- “North East ISD thwarts conservative shift; Bell-Metereau, Popp set for runoff in SBOE race,” Jackie Wang and J.J. Velasquez, San Antonio Report, November 3, 2020
- “Democrats Flip D5 State Board Of Education Seat, And Everything Else You Need To Know About San Antonio’s Education Election Results,” Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio, November 4, 2020
Alamo Colleges Trustees
For the Alamo Colleges board of trustees, in District 2, Gloria Ray is likely to defeat incumbent Jose A. Macias Jr. In District 9, there will likely be a runoff between Leslie Sachanowicz and incumbent Joe Jesse Sanchez.
In District 4, there will likely be a runoff between Lorena “Lorraine” Pulido and Jose “Joe” Gallegos. Connie Prado came in fourth, and so she will not resign her seat on the South San Antonio ISD school board.
Read More About Alamo Colleges Trustees Races
- “In Alamo Colleges election, Ray defeats Macias; two runoffs required,” Andres Picon, San Antonio Express-News, November 3, 2020
- “North East ISD thwarts conservative shift; Bell-Metereau, Popp set for runoff in SBOE race,” Jackie Wang and J.J. Velasquez, San Antonio Report, November 3, 2020
- “Democrats Flip D5 State Board Of Education Seat, And Everything Else You Need To Know About San Antonio’s Education Election Results,” Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio, November 4, 2020
Texas House of Representatives
In District 121, on the Northside of San Antonio, Steve Allison (R)—an advocate for traditional public schools—won re-election. The Republicans retain a majority in the Texas House of Representatives.
Read More About Texas House of Representatives Races
- “Rep. Steve Allison fends off Montoya in House District 121,” Eric Dexheimer, San Antonio Express-News, November 4, 2020
- “Gutierrez leads Flores in state Senate race; Allison wins reelection to House,” Lindsey Carnett, San Antonio Report, November 3, 2020
- “Republicans appear to keep majority of Texas House,” Texas Tribune, Cassandra Pollock and Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, November 3, 2020
- “Texas House Appears To Remain In Republican Control,” Mallory Falk, Texas Public Radio, November 4, 2020
- “Yellow Rose, Blue Wave: What Democrats’ Statehouse Ascent Might Mean for Texas’s Singular K-12 Political Landscape,” Beth Hawkins, 74 Million, October 13, 2020
- “Texas Voters Elect School Choice Champions in Both Parties,” Mandy Drogan, American Federation for Children, November 4, 2020
Texas Senate
In District 19, on the Southside of San Antonio and parts of West Texas, Roland Gutierrez (D) defeated incumbent Pete Flores (R). The Republicans retain a majority in the Texas Senate.
Read More About Texas Senate Races
- “Gutierrez ousts incumbent Flores for Senate District 19,” Eric Dexheimer, San Antonio Express-News, November 4, 2020
- “Gutierrez leads Flores in state Senate race; Allison wins reelection to House,” Lindsey Carnett, San Antonio Report, November 3, 2020
- “Texas Voters Elect School Choice Champions in Both Parties,” Mandy Drogan, American Federation for Children, November 4, 2020
Texas State Board of Education
In District 5, which includes the Northside of San Antonio, the south side of Austin, and several Hill Country counties, Rebecca Bell-Metereau (D) Lani Popp (R). Republicans retain a majority on the Texas State Board of Education.
Read More About Texas State Board of Education Races
- “Democrats Flip D5 State Board Of Education Seat, And Everything Else You Need To Know About San Antonio’s Education Election Results,” Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio, November 4, 2020
- “GOP poised to keep control of State Board of Education,” Cayla Harris, San Antonio Express-News, November 4, 2020
- “North East ISD thwarts conservative shift; Bell-Metereau, Popp set for runoff in SBOE race,” Jackie Wang and J.J. Velasquez, San Antonio Report, November 3, 2020
- “Republicans maintain majority on Texas education board with three seats too close to call,” Aliyya Swaby, Texas Tribune, November 4, 2020
- “Texas education board: Tom Maynard wins another term, Rebecca Bell-Metereau poised to flip Austin-area district,” Julie Chang, Austin American-Statesman, November 4, 2020
Takeaways From an Education Election
It’s important for parents and caregivers to stay informed about who represents them, especially in the Texas Legislature, which will be in session in January through May 2021, and will decide many issues affecting schools in San Antonio. We’ve written about being a parent advocate and talking with your kids about why it’s important to vote. We’ve had Starlee Coleman, CEO of the Texas Public Charter Schools Association as a guest on Charter Moms Chats to talk about Charters 101. Join us in the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook for non-partisan discussion of education issues.
