I am a lifelong resident of the Southwest ISD community and a proud graduate of its schools. This district is not just where I live, it is where I grew up and where I continue to stay actively involved. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trinity University and bring more than 15 years of experience in business leadership and nonprofit operations.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez| 2026 Candidate for Southwest ISD Board of Trustees - San Antonio Report

I previously served as a District Manager for South Texas with a national company and currently work at the Center for Health Empowerment, where I manage operations and support programs that serve local families. I have also spent over 15 years volunteering through PTA, Pony League, and school board governance. These experiences have given me firsthand insight into the needs of students, families, and educators across Southwest ISD.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez is a lifelong resident of the Southwest ISD community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trinity University and has volunteered for over 15 years with the Parent Teacher Association and Pony League and through school board governance.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez| 2026 Candidate for Southwest ISD Board of ...

I previously served as a District Manager for South Texas with a national company and currently work at the Center for Health Empowerment, where I manage operations and support programs that serve local families. I have also spent over 15 years volunteering through PTA, Pony League, and school board governance.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez, a management assistant at the Center for Health Empowerment and a Southwest High graduate, has worked as a SWISD teacher and tutor, and served as a PTA president. Her campaign priorities include increasing transparency, expanding community engagement, and making district leadership more accessible and accountable.

Meet San Antonio-area school board hopefuls ahead of May 2 elections

Yolanda works at the Center for Health Empowerment, where she manages operations and supports programs serving local families. She previously served as a district manager for South Texas with a national company and worked as a teacher and tutor.

Meet San Antonio-area school board hopefuls ahead of May 2 ...

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

How do you plan to work to overcome academic gaps that may have developed or widened during the pandemic?

Curriculum and Instruction hit the ground running over the summer. They identified the most important TEKS and created a Milestone Checklist for all grade levels and content areas that students absolutely had to master. Then they got to work creating curriculum plans for teachers that could be used as a resource to target gaps in learning around specific milestones.

These Continuity Plans are designed to scaffold the learning that needed to take place in the previous grade level. Additionally, we are providing online after school tutoring and evening tutoring.

My plan is to follow-up through quarterly reports with regard to student progress and continued identification of gaps in learning until students are back on grade level.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez: Southwest ISD

What three issues do you feel are most important to your constituents?

1. Safely navigating the re-opening of our schools during the Covid-19 pandemic.
2. Preparing students for their future through successful development of Career Pathways.
3. Promoting educational opportunities through equitable access and distribution of resources.

Plans to monitor quarterly student-progress reports and identify learning gaps until students return to grade level.

Prioritizes developing career pathways to prepare students for their future.

- Plans to monitor quarterly student-progress reports and identify learning gaps until students return to grade level.
- Prioritizes developing career pathways to prepare students for their future.

School Curriculum

How will you approach budgeting for your district given the economic uncertainties? What are your budget priorities you would want to keep intact?

SWISD has already started to address the anticipated budget constraints expected next year. In the past, Business and Finance has pared down non-essential personnel as support employees resign or retire. Decisions are made about which positions can be eliminated or merged. My priority would be for us not to touch any positions that directly impact students or learning.

At the same time, our students need safe facilities, strong academic support, and access to the resources they need to succeed.

My priorities include improving communication with families, ensuring responsible financial management, supporting educators, and strengthening partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.

I believe that when families are informed and engaged, we build stronger schools and a stronger community.

Prioritizes protecting budgeted positions that directly affect students or learning.

Prioritizes responsible financial management and partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.

- Prioritizes protecting budgeted positions that directly affect students or learning.
- Prioritizes responsible financial management and partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.

School Facilities & Resources

One of the biggest challenges facing Southwest ISD is the disconnect between the community and district decision-making. Low participation highlights the need for greater transparency, communication, and trust.

At the same time, our students need safe facilities, strong academic support, and access to the resources they need to succeed.

My priorities include improving communication with families, ensuring responsible financial management, supporting educators, and strengthening partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.

Said students need safe facilities, strong academic support, and access to resources.

- Said students need safe facilities, strong academic support, and access to resources.

Student Wellbeing

As of September 24, 2026, Yolanda Garza-Lopez did not have a website or any information online.

Teachers

For incumbents: What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time in office? Is there any vote or decision you would change now looking back?

When I was first elected on the board at SWISD I was a strong advocate for aggressive investment and integration of technology into all our schools. I had recently resigned from a professional position in a corporate job and understood that many of our economically disadvantaged students would not have access to technology and the internet at home. If we did not provide that access at school our students would immediately be less competitive in college and work upon graduation.

Advocates for equitable access to educational opportunities and resources.

Advocated for investment in and integration of technology in all schools to expand access for students without technology or internet access at home.

- Advocates for equitable access to educational opportunities and resources.
- Advocated for investment in and integration of technology in all schools to expand access for students without technology or internet access at home.

Access to Education

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Yolanda Garza-Lopez

- Prioritizes responsible financial management and partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.

As of September 24, 2026, Yolanda Garza-Lopez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez grew up in the Southwest ISD community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Trinity University. She volunteered with the Parent Teacher Association and Pony League and participated in school board governance for over 15 years.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez currently works at the Center for Health Empowerment, where she manages operations and supports programs serving local families. She previously served as a district manager for South Texas with a national company.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez, 59, was an SWISD trustee from 2008 to 2023. She sought reelection in 2024, but lost. Garza-Lopez works at the Center for Health Empowerment in South Texas.

Yolanda previously served as a Southwest Independent School District trustee from 2008 to 2023. She sought reelection in 2024 but lost.

Prioritizes developing career pathways to prepare students for their futures.

Planned online after-school and evening tutoring, with quarterly progress reviews, to address pandemic learning gaps.

Prioritizes preserving positions that directly affect students or learning when addressing budget constraints.

Advocated for investing in and integrating technology in all schools.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez is a lifelong resident of the Southwest ISD community and a graduate of its schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Trinity University. She has volunteered for more than 15 years through the Parent-Teacher Association and Pony League and in school board governance.

I previously served as a District Manager for South Texas with a national company and currently work at the Center for Health Empowerment, where I manage operations and support programs that serve local families.

Yolanda currently works at the Center for Health Empowerment, where she manages operations and supports programs for local families. She previously served as a district manager for South Texas with a national company.

2020 Southwest ISD trustee questionnaire, published October 1, 2020 and updated October 12, 2020. In response to, “List any previous elected offices that you held and the term you held that office. List any elected offices you sought and the years you sought those offices,” Garza-Lopez wrote: “Southwest School Board Trustee 2008 – Current 12 years.”

Two former SWISD board members, Pete Bernal and Yolanda Garza-Lopez, tried to convince their fellow board members to join the general May ballot in 2022 and 2023, but the board majority struck their motions down. Bernal and Garza-Lopez are on the ballot again this May, competing against the trustees that took their place in 2023 after the board majority threw their support behind James Gonzales and Joe Diaz instead of Bernal and Garza-Lopez.

Southwest ISD joins general May ballot, allowing residents to access countywide voting

Yolanda previously served as a Southwest ISD trustee from 2008 to 2023.

Former Judson superintendent named lone finalist at Southwest ISD

Prioritizes developing career pathways to prepare students for the future.

Plans to use quarterly reports to monitor student progress and learning gaps until students return to grade level.

Advocated for investing in and integrating technology across Southwest Independent School District schools.

Wants to protect positions that directly affect students or learning during budget reductions.

Plans to expand family engagement and ensure community input informs district decision-making.

Advocates for equitable access to educational opportunities and resource distribution.

In her response introducing herself to voters, Garza-Lopez wrote: “I am a lifelong resident of the Southwest ISD community and a proud graduate of its schools. This district is not just where I live, it is where I grew up and where I continue to stay actively involved. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trinity University and bring more than 15 years of experience in business leadership and nonprofit operations.”

Yolanda Garza-Lopez grew up in and is a lifelong resident of the Southwest Independent School District community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trinity University.

In her response introducing herself to voters, Garza-Lopez wrote: “I previously served as a District Manager for South Texas with a national company and currently work at the Center for Health Empowerment, where I manage operations and support programs that serve local families. I have also spent over 15 years volunteering through PTA, Pony League, and school board governance.”

Yolanda currently works at the Center for Health Empowerment, where she manages operations and supports programs serving local families. She previously served as a district manager for South Texas with a national company.

The candidate profile identifies Garza-Lopez's officeholding history: “Yolanda Garza-Lopez, 59, was an SWISD trustee from 2008 to 2023. She sought reelection in 2024, but lost. Garza-Lopez works at the Center for Health Empowerment in South Texas.”

Yolanda previously served as a trustee for Southwest Independent School District from 2008 to 2023.

In response to the district's major challenges and strategies, Garza-Lopez wrote: “At the same time, our students need safe facilities, strong academic support, and access to the resources they need to succeed.”

In response to the district's major challenges and strategies, Garza-Lopez wrote: “My priorities include improving communication with families, ensuring responsible financial management, supporting educators, and strengthening partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.”

Supports safe facilities, academic support, and resources for students.

- Supports safe facilities, academic support, and resources for students.
- Prioritizes responsible financial management and partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.

Supports safe school facilities for students.

- Supports safe school facilities for students.

In response to how she would solicit constituent input and feedback, Garza-Lopez wrote: “I will stay connected by attending school events, engaging in neighborhoods, and creating opportunities for families, educators, and students to share their perspectives. I will also use surveys, social media, and direct communication to reach those who may not be able to attend meetings.”

Continuing her response on constituent feedback, Garza-Lopez wrote: “Most importantly, I will ensure that community input is reflected in decision-making. Trust is built not just by listening, but by following through.”

Plans to create opportunities for families, educators, and students to provide input that is reflected in district decision-making.

- Plans to create opportunities for families, educators, and students to provide input that is reflected in district decision-making.

Asked about her educational background, Garza-Lopez wrote: “I attended school in San, Antonio, TX at Southwest Independent School District. Sun Valley Elementary, Southwest Jr. High, Southwest High School. I have an undergraduate degree from Trinity University.” She separately specified: “Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Trinity University 1990.”

The candidate profile states: “Yolanda Garza-Lopez, a management assistant at the Center for Health Empowerment and a Southwest High graduate, has worked as a SWISD teacher and tutor, and served as a PTA president. Her campaign priorities include increasing transparency, expanding community engagement, and making district leadership more accessible and accountable.”

Asked to list her previous elected offices and terms in the 2020 questionnaire, Garza-Lopez wrote: “Southwest School Board Trustee 2008 – Current 12 years.” The official November 3, 2020 Bexar County results list her in the Southwest Independent School District Trustee race, a two-winner contest, with 7,370 votes and 41.00%.

Asked for the three issues most important to her constituents, Garza-Lopez answered: “1. Safely navigating the re-opening of our schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. 2. Preparing students for their future through successful development of Career Pathways. 3. Promoting educational opportunities through equitable access and distribution of resources.”

Asked how she planned to overcome pandemic-related academic gaps, Garza-Lopez wrote: “Additionally, we are providing online after school tutoring and evening tutoring. My plan is to follow-up through quarterly reports with regard to student progress and continued identification of gaps in learning until students are back on grade level.”

Plans to monitor student progress quarterly, identify learning gaps, and provide tutoring until students return to their grade level.

- .
- Plans to monitor student progress quarterly, identify learning gaps, and provide tutoring until students return to their grade level.

Asked about district budgeting amid economic uncertainty, Garza-Lopez wrote: “SWISD has already started to address the anticipated budget constraints expected next year. In the past, Business and Finance has pared down non-essential personnel as support employees resign or retire. Decisions are made about which positions can be eliminated or merged. My priority would be for us not to touch any positions that directly impact students or learning.”

Advocates for increased funding for educational programs.

In response to a question for incumbents about accomplishments during her time in office, Garza-Lopez wrote: “When I was first elected on the board at SWISD I was a strong advocate for aggressive investment and integration of technology into all our schools. I had recently resigned from a professional position in a corporate job and understood that many of our economically disadvantaged students would not have access to technology and the internet at home. If we did not provide that access at school our students would immediately be less competitive in college and work upon graduation.”

Said she advocated for aggressive investment in school technology and internet access for economically disadvantaged students.

- Said she advocated for aggressive investment in school technology and internet access for economically disadvantaged students.
- .

Please tell voters about yourself.

I am a lifelong resident of the Southwest ISD community and a proud graduate of its schools. This district is not just where I live, it is where I grew up and where I continue to stay actively involved. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trinity University and bring more than 15 years of experience in business leadership and nonprofit operations.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez is a lifelong resident of the Southwest ISD community, where she grew up and attended district schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trinity University. She has volunteered for more than 15 years through the Parent-Teacher Association and Pony League, as well as in school board governance.

How do you plan to work to overcome academic gaps that may have developed or widened during the pandemic?

Curriculum and Instruction hit the ground running over the summer. They identified the most important TEKS and created a Milestone Checklist for all grade levels and content areas that students absolutely had to master. Then they got to work creating curriculum plans for teachers that could be used as a resource to target gaps in learning around specific milestones. These Continuity Plans are designed to scaffold the learning that needed to take place in the previous grade level. Additionally, we are providing online after school tutoring and evening tutoring. My plan is to follow-up through quarterly reports with regard to student progress and continued identification of gaps in learning until students are back on grade level.

Plans to monitor student progress quarterly and identify learning gaps until students return to grade level.

- Prioritizes developing career pathways to prepare students for their futures.
- Plans to monitor student progress quarterly and identify learning gaps until students return to grade level.

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 the disconnect between the community and district decision-making. Low participation highlights the need for greater transparency, communication, and trust.

At the same time, our students need safe facilities, strong academic support, and access to the resources they need to succeed.

My priorities include improving communication with families, ensuring responsible financial management, supporting educators, and strengthening partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.

Advocated for investing in and integrating technology across district schools to give economically disadvantaged students access to internet and technology at school.

Prioritizes protecting positions that directly affect students or learning when making budget decisions.

Supports safe school facilities, academic support, and student access to needed resources.

- Advocated for investing in and integrating technology across district schools to give economically disadvantaged students access to internet and technology at school.
- Prioritizes protecting positions that directly affect students or learning when making budget decisions.
- Supports safe school facilities, academic support, and student access to needed resources.

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 the disconnect between the community and district decision-making. Low participation highlights the need for greater transparency, communication, and trust.

At the same time, our students need safe facilities, strong academic support, and access to the resources they need to succeed.

My priorities include improving communication with families, ensuring responsible financial management, supporting educators, and strengthening partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.

I believe that when families are informed and engaged, we build stronger schools and a stronger community.

Prioritizes equitable access to and distribution of educational resources.

- Prioritizes equitable access to and distribution of educational resources.

I have also spent over 15 years volunteering through PTA, Pony League, and school board governance. These experiences have given me firsthand insight into the needs of students, families, and educators across Southwest ISD.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez grew up in the Southwest ISD community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trinity University. She has volunteered for over 15 years with the Parent Teacher Association and Pony League and through school board governance.

Meet San Antonio area school board hopefuls ahead of May 2 elections

Yolanda Garza-Lopez works at the Center for Health Empowerment, where she manages operations. She previously served as a district manager for South Texas at a national company and worked as a teacher and tutor for Southwest Independent School District.

Two former SWISD board members, Pete Bernal and Yolanda Garza-Lopez, tried to convince their fellow board members to join the general May ballot in 2022 and 2023, but the board majority struck their motions down.

Yolanda previously served as a Southwest Independent School District board member.

One of the biggest challenges facing Southwest ISD is the disconnect between the community and district decision-making. Low participation highlights the need for greater transparency, communication, and trust. At the same time, our students need safe facilities, strong academic support, and access to the resources they need to succeed.

Prioritizes safe facilities, academic support, and the resources students need to succeed.

- Prioritizes safe facilities, academic support, and the resources students need to succeed.

At the same time, our students need safe facilities, strong academic support, and access to the resources they need to succeed. My priorities include improving communication with families, ensuring responsible financial management, supporting educators, and strengthening partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.

Today, fewer than 1,000 voters often decide outcomes that impact more than 35,000 registered voters. That’s not a lack of interest, it’s a lack of access. And it has to be addressed. I am committed to expanding engagement, increasing transparency, and ensuring that more families are informed and involved. That tells me we must do more to engage our community.

Commits to expanding family engagement and transparency in district decision-making.

- Commits to expanding family engagement and transparency in district decision-making.

If you have completed higher education, what degrees or certifications have you earned and from where? In what years did you complete these degrees or certifications?

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Trinity University 1990.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Trinity University in 1990.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez works as a management assistant at the Center for Health Empowerment. She previously worked as a teacher and tutor for Southwest Independent School District.

List any previous elected offices that you held and the term you held that office. List any elected offices you sought and the years you sought those offices.

Southwest School Board Trustee 2008 – Current 12 years

Yolanda currently serves as a Southwest School Board trustee. She has held the office since 2008; a candidate questionnaire lists 12 years of service.

How do you plan to work to overcome academic gaps that may have developed or widened during the pandemic?

Curriculum and Instruction hit the ground running over the summer. They identified the most important TEKS and created a Milestone Checklist for all grade levels and content areas that students absolutely had to master. Then they got to work creating curriculum plans for teachers that could be used as a resource to target gaps in learning around specific milestones.

These Continuity Plans are designed to scaffold the learning that needed to take place in the previous grade level.

Supports curriculum plans aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards to address learning gaps.

- Supports curriculum plans aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards to address learning gaps.

For incumbents: What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time in office? Is there any vote or decision you would change now looking back?

When I was first elected on the board at SWISD I was a strong advocate for aggressive investment and integration of technology into all our schools. I had recently resigned from a professional position in a corporate job and understood that many of our economically disadvantaged students would not have access to technology and the internet at home.

If we did not provide that access at school our students would immediately be less competitive in college and work upon graduation.

Of course, I never could have anticipated the current environment with the Covid-19 pandemic. The fact that our district achieved 1-1 technology for all students several years ago positioned us to transition to remote learning quickly and efficiently. Additionally, our strong position allowed the district to focus time and resources on connectivity by acquiring and distributing access to the internet through hubs and hotspots for our families.

SWISD has already started to address the anticipated budget constraints expected next year. In the past, Business and Finance has pared down non-essential personnel as support employees resign or retire. Decisions are made about which positions can be eliminated or merged. My priority would be for us not to touch any positions that directly impact students or learning.

Advocates for increased funding for educational programs and student resources.

Advocated investing in school technology and providing internet connectivity for families.

Prioritizes protecting positions that directly affect students or learning from budget cuts.

- Advocated investing in school technology and providing internet connectivity for families.
- Prioritizes protecting positions that directly affect students or learning from budget cuts.

Prioritized safely reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

- Prioritized safely reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These Continuity Plans are designed to scaffold the learning that needed to take place in the previous grade level. Additionally, we are providing online after school tutoring and evening tutoring. My plan is to follow-up through quarterly reports with regard to student progress and continued identification of gaps in learning until students are back on grade level.

Prioritizes career pathways and equitable distribution of educational resources.

Plans quarterly reviews of student progress and learning gaps while providing online after-school and evening tutoring.

- Prioritizes career pathways and equitable distribution of educational resources.
- Plans quarterly reviews of student progress and learning gaps while providing online after-school and evening tutoring.

Please tell voters about yourself.

I am a lifelong resident of the Southwest ISD community and a proud graduate of its schools. This district is not just where I live, it is where I grew up and where I continue to stay actively involved.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez is a lifelong resident of the Southwest ISD community and graduated from its schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trinity University. She has volunteered with the Parent Teacher Association and Pony League and participated in school board governance for more than 15 years.

Yolanda Garza-Lopez currently works at the Center for Health Empowerment, where she manages operations. She previously served as a district manager for South Texas with a national company.

Plans online after-school and evening tutoring, with quarterly reviews of student progress and learning gaps.

- Prioritizes developing career pathways to prepare students for their futures.
- Plans online after-school and evening tutoring, with quarterly reviews of student progress and learning gaps.

Prioritizes protecting positions that directly affect students or learning when making budget reductions.

- Prioritizes protecting positions that directly affect students or learning when making budget reductions.

My priorities include improving communication with families, ensuring responsible financial management, supporting educators, and strengthening partnerships that provide services beyond the classroom.

I believe that when families are informed and engaged, we build stronger schools and a stronger community.

Prioritizes partnerships that provide services for students beyond the classroom.

- Prioritizes partnerships that provide services for students beyond the classroom.

Advocates investing in and integrating technology across schools so students without home internet or access to technology can use it.

Promotes educational opportunities through equitable access to and distribution of resources.

- Advocates investing in and integrating technology across schools so students without home internet or access to technology can use it.
- Promotes educational opportunities through equitable access to and distribution of resources.

Plans to monitor student progress and learning gaps through quarterly reports until students reach grade level.

Prioritizes protecting positions that directly affect students or learning in district budget decisions.

Advocates for investing in school technology and internet access so economically disadvantaged students can access both.

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- A trustee is an elected member of a local school board who helps govern a public school district.

- Trustees represent community interests and are responsible for setting policies that guide how the school district operates.

- The board of trustees hires and evaluates the superintendent, who manages the day-to-day operations of the district.

- Trustees approve the district’s budget, monitor spending, and may set the local tax rate or call for bond elections to fund schools.

- The board also oversees educational programs, district goals, and overall performance.

- In Texas, trustees are elected to four-year terms, often on a rotating basis, so not all seats are elected at the same time.

- Trustees serve without financial compensation.

An official who sets policy for a local school district. 