By Edmond Ortiz
Voters in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District will weigh contests for three of four school board positions that are on the Nov. 4 election ballot. Each position carries a four-year term.
Focus On San Antonio recently sent questions to filed candidates in contested races, inviting them to share experiences and backgrounds that are relevant to the public office that they are seeking, and to have them offer their priority issues and goals.
PLACE 4
Educator Matthew Short is running unopposed for the Place 4 seat, where board Vice President Edward Finley is retiring.
Finley was first elected to the SCUCISD board in 2005 and served until 2015. He was re-elected to the board in 2021.
Short holds three degrees, including a doctorate in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
PLACE 5
Incumbent Amy Thomas is seeking a second term in office. Having worked in marketing and as an office manager, Thomas is a homemaker who helped her husband, Terry, in his performance as a youth pastor and children’s pastor prior to her election to the school board.
Thomas said she wants to use her board experience and master trustee certification to continue advocating for public schools and local control, strong academics, safe campuses, luring and retaining quality teachers through competitive salaries, maintaining fiscal responsibility and transparency, and planning for growth.
Aaron Matheny, a U.S. Army veteran, has indicated that fiscal accountability and cutting waste are among the biggest issues in his campaign.
Focus On San Antonio did not receive a response from Matheny to the questions posed to him.
PLACE 6
Bill Paschal, a retired business manager, and Alberto Ramirez, a U.S. Air Force retiree, are vying to succeed Dan Swart, who declined a bid for a second term.
Ramirez holds a real estate license, and serves on the Cibolo Capital Improvement Advisory Board and on his subdivision’s homeowners association board.
Ramirez is also an area church leader who is active as a community volunteer, including participating with the San Antonio Board Of Realtors’ military advisory group. He ran for a board post in 2023.
Ramirez has indicated that his campaign advocates for an equitable, inclusive, safe, secure school district that is focused on student success.
Focus On San Antonio did not receive a response from either Paschal or Ramirez to the questions posed to them.
PLACE 7
Incumbent Belinda Evans seeks a second term. She is a retired English as a Second Language teacher who mentors teenagers, college students, couples, and creative groups through ministry work.
Evans has indicated that academic and financial strength are key issues in her re-election campaign. Focus On San Antonio did not receive a response from Evans to the questions posed to her.
Jeff Kerlick is a community relations representative with the Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative. He is chair of the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce executive board, and his volunteerism has included roles with organizations such as the SCUCISD Education Foundation.
Kerlick has indicated the following as top issues in his campaign: supporting teachers with the tools they need to inspire learning; promoting transparency and accountability; ensuring safe, secure, well-maintained campuses; and preparing students for success in academics, careers and life.
Focus On San Antonio did not receive a response from Kerlick to the questions posed to him.
Ciera Wilkerson has spent several years as a special education teacher at SCUCISD. The Steele High School graduate holds master’s degrees from Trinity University and Sam Houston State University.
Wilkerson has indicated that her campaign is centered around several themes, including: maintaining clear, consistent communication with families, staff and community members; building partnerships especially with military families and new SCUCISD residents to further strengthen the district; and championing policies that support academic growth, teacher success, and student well-being.
Focus On San Antonio did not receive a response from Wilkerson to the questions posed to her.
What’s next
Bexar County voters living in SCUCISD may take advantage of early voting by going to the polls 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 20-24; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 25 or Oct. 27-31; or noon-6 p.m. Oct. 26 at Northeast Lakeview College Bldg. 800, 1201 Kitty Hawk Road in Universal City; and the Universal City Library, 100 Northview Drive. Election Day polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 4 at several locations for Bexar County residents in SCUCISD.
For Guadalupe County voters, early voting will be held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 20-24; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 25 and Oct. 27-31; and noon-6 p.m. Oct. 26 at Cibolo Fire Station No. 2, 3864 Cibolo Valley Drive, and the county elections office annex, 1101 Elbel Road in Schertz. Several Election Day polling sites will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 4.
