Edgewood Independent School District Superintendent Eduardo Hernandez has announced plans to form a parent advisory committee and increase his availability for parent meetings. This move comes in response to ongoing concerns from families regarding transparency, bullying, and special education support, which culminated in a rally outside a recent board meeting.
Key Takeaways
- Edgewood ISD parents are raising concerns about transparency, student bullying, and special education services.
- Superintendent Eduardo Hernandez has pledged to create a parent advisory committee and offer more direct meeting hours.
- The heightened tensions follow the arrest of an education advocate at a board meeting a month prior; charges have since been dismissed.
- Approximately a dozen community members spoke during the public comment section of the latest board meeting.
Parents Rally for District Accountability
On Tuesday evening, families gathered outside the Edgewood ISD administrative building ahead of a scheduled board meeting. Their chants, including "Whose schools are these? Our school!" highlighted long-standing frustrations within the community.
The rally was organized by Maribel Gardea, the executive director of the education advocacy group MindShiftEd. Gardea has been a central figure in recent district discussions following her arrest at a board meeting nearly a month ago for exceeding her allotted speaking time.
Dora Maldonado, one of the parents attending the meeting, expressed her primary focus before speaking to the board. "My concerns are making sure that the kids are getting the proper education," she stated, summarizing the core motivation for many attendees.
During the meeting's public comment session, approximately a dozen people addressed the board, voicing a range of issues that they believe require immediate attention from district leadership.
Context of the Recent Unrest
Tensions in the district escalated significantly about a month ago when Maribel Gardea was arrested by Edgewood ISD police during a public comment period. Although the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has since declined to pursue the three charges against her, Gardea is still prohibited from entering Edgewood ISD property. As a result, she organized Tuesday's rally from a public park across the street from the meeting.
Superintendent Proposes New Engagement Measures
In response to the community's persistent calls for change, Superintendent Eduardo Hernandez addressed the situation, acknowledging the past month's events and signaling a new approach to parent engagement.
"I understand what happened 30 days ago. There’s not a night that I don’t reflect on it," Hernandez said, referencing Gardea's arrest.
Hernandez detailed several steps he plans to take to rebuild trust and improve communication. The most significant announcement was the forthcoming creation of a parent advisory committee. He also committed to making more time available in his schedule for direct conversations with parents.
These initiatives follow a recent meeting Hernandez held with four individuals who had authored a petition outlining key parental concerns. "I did mostly listening, and that was a good thing," Hernandez said of the meeting. He framed the current situation as a chance for collaboration.
A Path Toward Collaborative Solutions
The superintendent emphasized his desire to work with the community to find solutions to complex problems facing the district. He suggested that the challenges are not unique to Edgewood.
"We have an opportunity to co-create new solutions to problems that affect not just Edgewood ISD, but districts across the state of Texas right now," Hernandez remarked.
While the new measures were announced, parents and advocates have indicated they will continue to monitor the district's actions closely. Gardea affirmed the community's resolve, even with her physical restriction from board meetings.
"This is where I can be," Gardea said from the park. "The thing is, the voices of these families, they’re gonna still keep sounding even if I’m not around."
Timeline of Key Events
- Approximately one month ago: Advocate Maribel Gardea is arrested during an Edgewood ISD board meeting.
- Following the arrest: The Bexar County DA's Office announces it will not pursue charges against Gardea.
- Last week: Superintendent Hernandez meets with parents who created a petition outlining district concerns.
- September 16, 2025: Parents hold a rally, and Hernandez announces a new parent advisory committee during the board meeting.
Ongoing Issues at the Forefront
The petition submitted by parents and the comments made at the board meeting centered on several recurring themes. Families have consistently cited a lack of transparency from the district administration as a major obstacle.
Concerns over how the district handles bullying incidents among students remain a top priority for many parents. They are calling for clearer policies and more effective enforcement to ensure student safety.
Additionally, the quality and accessibility of special education support have been repeatedly questioned. Parents are advocating for better resources and more individualized attention for students with unique learning needs.
The superintendent's proposed advisory committee and increased open-door policy are intended to directly address these specific areas. The effectiveness of these new channels will likely determine the future of the relationship between the Edgewood ISD administration and the community it serves.