Education, typically the domain of state lawmakers, has become an unexpected focal point in San Antonio municipal elections. As Texas grapples with stalled school funding and the rollout of a controversial school voucher program signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on the very morning of San Antonio City Elections, concern over public education’s future has spilled into local political discourse.
Although city officials wield little formal control over school districts, local advocacy groups are urging municipal leaders to step in through expanded investments in early education, after-school programs, and workforce development. Emily Calderón Galdeano, interim CEO of youth nonprofit UP Partnership, emphasized that while state-level debates over school funding and diversity initiatives feel distant, they influence local perspectives and decisions. “We are capitalizing on this moment,” she said, noting that city leaders have the power to invest in proven local programs.
This renewed civic interest in education has begun reshaping the campaign trail. In the upcoming June 7 runoff, both progressive and conservative candidates are addressing calls for stronger city involvement in educational support. Mayoral hopeful Gina Ortiz Jones called for expanding the city-run Pre-K 4 SA program, describing it as an essential investment. Her opponent, Rolando Pablos, echoed support for similar initiatives, distancing himself from partisan voucher policies and calling for enhanced collaboration with state and federal partners.
San Antonio’ Advocacy Groups Fuel Momentum Despite Pushback
Behind the scenes, well-funded advocacy organizations are playing a major role in pushing education to the forefront of city politics. Futuro San Antonio, a nonprofit focused on improving education outcomes, spent approximately $150,000 on voter outreach, advertising, and candidate forums. Their goal: elect city leaders willing to invest in education. Futuro’s efforts have gained traction but also stirred controversy. Critics, including local teachers’ unions, question the group’s support of charter school expansion, citing past tax filings and its funding from Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings.
Despite this criticism, Futuro and other groups such as UP Partnership, United Way, and Early Matters San Antonio hosted the city’s first education-focused candidate forum. The event attracted nearly all runoff candidates and highlighted growing momentum for youth-centered policies. UP Partnership’s Future Ready Bexar County initiative has secured more than $100 million in philanthropic funding to enhance educational pathways and address poverty-related challenges.
Polling commissioned by Futuro revealed that voter concern over education has sharply increased. Among San Antonio parents surveyed, education now ranks just behind crime and jobs as a top issue, up from ninth place just months ago.
Limited Power, Expanding Expectations
San Antonio City Elections faces complex challenges: a high poverty rate, budget shortfalls, and increasing demand for services amid diminishing state and federal support. While existing city initiatives like Pre-K 4 SA and the Alamo Promise free college program have shown success, the city’s ability to scale efforts is constrained by fiscal realities.
Nonetheless, voters and candidates are exploring creative ways to increase the city’s influence. Some District 6 candidates proposed new city staff roles focused on school district coordination, while others floated ideas like youth-focused bond initiatives. Yet, the boundaries of city governance remain a sticking point. Former councilman Bobby Herrera drew boos for questioning the relevance of education in a city race, while others misattributed city authority over teacher salaries.
The runoff campaigns reflect deep ideological divides but also common ground. Conservative candidates like Patty Gibbons and Misty Spears favor more parental control and federal funding for early childhood programs. Progressives, including Ivalis Meza Gonzalez and Angi Taylor Aramburu, support expanding programs like Ready to Work and integrating education into the city’s economic development strategy.
As Councilwoman Sukh Kaur put it, the key may lie in reimagining all city decisions through a youth-centered lens: “What if we addressed everything from a youth perspective? What would our city look like?”
