Board of Trustees
Jesse Hernandez
Board President
Position: 5
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Elected: 05-2021
Term Expires: 05-2029
Southside ISD Board of Trustees President Mr. Jesse Hernandez began his service on the board in May 2018. Mr. Hernandez said he was compelled to serve after seeing the district’s academic ranking worsen. However, under his leadership, in 2022 the Texas Education Agency named Southside ISD one of the top five school districts in San Antonio. “We’re now seeing our students shine as the bright stars we knew they could be,” said Hernandez. “We’ve invested in people and in resources and we are now seeing the fruit of our labor.” As a dedicated father, businessman, and homeowner, Hernandez said his community service is focused on the District’s 6,000 students. “I’m proud that we’re transparent and making the best decisions for our students. It’s great seeing our students thrive now and in the future,” he said. Mr. Hernandez is the CPS Energy Senior Director of Equity, Community Strategy and Engagement. He has been with the utility for the last 12 years. He previously worked for 16 years with local grocery giant H-E-B. His current term on the Board ends in May 2025.
Brenda Olivarez
Vice President
Position: 3
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Elected: 05-2021
Term Expires: 5-2029
My name is Brenda Nagelhout-Olivarez. I am married to Alfred, who is a graduate of Southside ISD. We have six amazing grandchildren. They are part of our lives every day, whether we are attending softball games, soccer games, or watching our oldest granddaughter dancing on the football field with the Pep Squad.
Mrs. Olivarez graduated from the Leadership Texas Association of School Board (LTASB) as a Master Trustee with the State of Texas in 2023 and has 124 continuing education credits through TASB.
I have more than 25 years of experience as PEIMS Specialist with a local Public School District here in San Antonio, Texas. I began my educational career as a Physical Education aide at an elementary school, where I discovered a passion for student education. Several years later, I started my love for student data as a PEIMS Specialist (Public Education Information Management System). During my time as a PEIMS Specialist, I earned a Certification (CTSBO) from TASBO (Texas Association of School Business Officials) in 3 different areas: PEIMS, Human Resources, and Management Information Systems.
After over 25 years in PEIMS, I accepted a position as a Senior Client Support Analyst for Frontline Education. I am blessed to work with a company that values student education and student success and supports the advancement of K-12 Education.
Alfred and I have a love for “Glamping.” We love to travel in our travel trailer with family and friends! Meeting new people and making friends is exciting as exploring our beautiful beaches, lakes, and mountains of Texas!
I am committed to serving the community and the students of Southside ISD. My goal is to develop positive relationships with students, staff, and the community through Accountability, Communication, and Trust.
Mary Belle Unger-Robles
Secretary
Position: 4
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Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 05-2029
Before retiring, Mrs. Robles taught business education for ten years at Matthey Middle School. She hopes her leadership role is an example to the district’s students. “I never saw myself in this position. I was a teacher, I retired, and I subbed. I want to give the kids from Southside something to look forward to after graduation,” said the new trustee. Mrs. Robles also served as an educator at East Central and Edgewood ISDs. She is a 1970 graduate of Southside High School, the married mother of four children, 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Katie Farias
Board Trustee
Position: 7
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Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 05-2027
Katie Farias, Southside ISD Place 7 Board Trustee and current Board Vice President, is a proud mother of two school aged children (Niya Marie & Xzavier Gabriel) and a loving wife to her husband of 20 years Gabe Farias. First elected to office in May of 2019, Katie has been a part of the Board leadership that has led the Southside ISD from a failing school district under State Conservatorship to one of the top ranked school districts in greater San Antonio “The transformation of our school district has been one of the greatest team efforts in South Texas school history and I couldn’t be prouder to be a small part of this transformation along with my fellow board members, our incredible Superintendent Mr. Rolando Ramirez, his leadership team, and our fantastic teachers and staff,” Farias states. Katie’s passion for the Southside ISD runs deep as she has been a volunteer at Gallardo Elementary, and volunteered and contributed to several community programs and non-profits in the area. Katie currently serves as the District Director for State Senator Roland Gutierrez which encompasses the Southside Independent School District. Katie is a passionate advocate for public education in the state of Texas and for ensuring that children learn in a safe environment.
Margarita Morales-Garcia
Board Trustee
Position: 1
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Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 05-2027
Southside ISD Trustee Maggie Morales is a proud Cardinal and 2011 Southside High School graduate. In 2019, voters elected her to the school board. Ms. Morales is a dedicated community activist who is working to build a brighter community for future Cardinals and their families. Ms. Morales grew up in the Southside Community and recognized various levels of inequality that lead to children’s scholastic and athletic performance. Those disparities helped shape her into the trusted leader she is today.
As a community advocate, Ms. Morales has worked to make life better for immigrants as a Faith in Public Life campus organizer at the University of the Incarnate Word. She has also served as a volunteer helping children at Joven. Because of her love of animals, she has volunteered with San Antonio Animal Control Services. Ms. Morales has interned with the Southside ISD Communications Department. It was actually
Ms. Morales who came up with the idea for the highly popular Summer Movie Nights, which allows Southside families to enjoy movies at Southside Stadium. Ms. Morales holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from the University of the Incarnate Word. She later earned her Master’s Degree in Non-profit Management from Our Lady of the Lake University. Ms. Morales continues to help vulnerable families in her role with Refugee Services of Texas. She loves spending time with her family and always looks forward to see her dogs Louie and Rosie and her longhaired cat, Ramona.
Lisa L. Salazar
Board Trustee
Position: 6
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Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 05-2027
Lisa L. Salazar was first elected to the SISD Board in 2006-2013. She has served a short term as Secretary and six years as President, making history as the first female. During this time, she successfully graduated Leadership Texas Association of School Board (LTASB) as a Master Trustee with the State of Texas in 2008. She has over 300 continuing education credits through TASB.
In 2008, she was a State Conference Presenter. She was re-elected to serve in 2019 but began sitting as a member of the board in May 2022. She is a 1986 graduate of SISD and a 2016 graduate of Alamo Colleges, Palo Alto, a 2018 graduate of Texas A& M San Antonio with a B.A. and a 2022 graduate of Schreiner University with an MBA. She currently serves as the Child Nutrition/Custodial Services Director for a local school district.
Mrs. Salazar is an army brat who attended both DOD and public schools. Her father retired here in San Antonio in 1984. She has been married to her husband, Richard (Rick), for over thirty years, and together they have one daughter, one son, and two grandchildren. Both their children are graduates of SISD.
Mary Silva
Board Trustee
Position: 2
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Elected: 2023
Term Expires: 05-2027
Mrs. Mary Silva is a long-time Southside ISD community member who has a long history connected to
the school district. For 38 years, Mrs. Silva worked as the district’s:
Bilingual Community Liaison
Title I Reading Aid at Southside Junior High School (present day Losoya Middle School)
Librarian at Southside Junior High School (present day Losoya Middle School)
Attendance and PEIMS clerk at Southside Junior High School and at Matthey Middle School
Substitute teacher
Mrs. Silva began serving on the school board in May 2021. She says concern about academic
performance prompted her to run for the board. “I was concerned and I wanted to be an asset to make
our district better. I care for our students. They are like my own kids,” she said.
Mrs. Silva is an active volunteer with the district’s monthly San Antonio Food Bank food distributions.
She also volunteers her time organizing the Kym Rapier Verette Food Pantry.
Mrs. Silva has been married to Mr. Johnny Silva for 52 years. They have three children, eight
grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Her current term on the board expires in May 2023.