Parents push for accountability after an Edgewood ISD mom’s arrest, calling for a new board, dropped charges and an investigation into policies.
SAN ANTONIO — The mother dragged out of an Edgewood ISD board meeting this week is now sharing her story — joined by parents and advocates demanding accountability from district leaders.
Maribel Gardea, a mother of two and longtime special needs advocate, was arrested Tuesday night after exceeding the two-minute time limit for public comment. Her microphone was cut off as she raised concerns about bullying, school safety and communication barriers. Seconds later, she says officers surrounded her.
“I didn’t expect anything like that to happen. I don’t think any parent does when they show up to speak. It’s your right to do that,” Gardea said. “The escalation was outrageous and I can’t believe they let it happen to that extent.”
She was charged with disrupting a meeting, resisting arrest and criminal trespass. Gardea says she was detained nearly two hours before a judge explained her charges.
Now, she and her nonprofit MindShiftED, along with LULAC and Edgewood parents, are demanding an independent investigation.
“We are going to launch a full investigation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office into Edgewood ISD policies and the treatment of families,” said Gardea during a press conference Thursday evening.
Parents allege silencing tactics
Parents say Tuesday’s meeting was months in the making. Families began organizing in October 2024, preparing testimonies and a community resolution to present to the board. Many say they signed up on time but were left off the list of speakers.
Gardea said she even submitted petitions and paperwork directly to board members. “It was on their lap,” she said.
Those who did get called to the microphone say their time was suddenly cut from three minutes to two.
“Instead of partnership, they were met with intimidation, confusion, new rules that were designed to silence them,” said Gardea. “When parents were trying to share their truth, they were interrupted, they were dismissed and they were ignored.”
Families also accuse the district of making last-minute changes to the agenda — raising concerns about potential violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Calls for charges to be dropped
Parents and advocates are now calling for Edgewood ISD to drop all charges against Gardea.
“We are asking the district to drop the charges. We want them to drop every single charge,” said Gardea. “We need them to drop that trespassing charge because then I cannot support the families that are there. That’s what [district leaders] want.”
Gardea says what happened to her exposed the deeper issues parents face in Edgewood.
“I was arrested and held overnight. Eighteen hours of my life simply for continuing to speak after being cut off,” she said. “Meanwhile, others kept going and they did nothing about that.”
Echoes of history in Edgewood
Parents say this isn’t just about one incident. They describe a pattern of exclusion and silencing that stretches back years.
“This is about a pattern that continues to happen every single time for years and years…We are sending a message loud and clear: Parents are not trespassers in public schools. Parents are partners. Parents are leaders,” Gardea said, to applause, followed by chants of “Parent Power!”
Others say the fight recalls Edgewood’s history. In 1968, students and parents walked out to demand equal education — an action that helped reshape education laws in Texas.
“Here we are now 57 years later facing a fight yet again,” said Edgewood ISD parent and alum, Jessica Rodriguez. “We’re fighting for our children’s schools to be safe, taught by certified teachers, and free from anxiety and disruption.”
Push for accountability and leadership change
Some parents are now demanding new leadership at the top.
“We are at a D rating and it’s been for five consecutive years,” said Dorothy Borjas, who pulled her students out of the district. “I’m requesting to remove the superintendent and get the children a quality education. He needs to resign as of right now. We need a new board — one that’s going to listen to us and not cut us off.”
Parents also said they want all board members replaced — but many voiced support for Trustee Michael Valdez to stay, since he spoke up about policy violations and has shown support for families.
Others point to the district’s long history of parents stepping in where institutions have failed.
“In the 1920s when we fought for desegregation of these schools… we had to take responsibility for the education of our children because these institutions wouldn’t do it. Here we are!” said Gabriel Rosales, Texas State Director of LULAC.
What’s next
Some parents say they received an apology from the district for being excluded from Tuesday’s speaker list. Trustee Michael Valdez also confirmed to KENS 5 that board policy was not followed in Gardea’s removal.
Gardea says that’s not enough. She wants a formal apology from Edgewood ISD and a meeting with Board President Dr. James Hernandez as soon as possible.
She continues to deliver her message in both Spanish and English — insisting that parents deserve a seat at the table, and that students deserve better.
“I will not be pushed aside. We will not be pushed aside,” Gardea said.
KENS 5 e-mailed Edgewood ISD after-hours Thursday to inquire about the charges being dropped and whether the board plans to review policies. We are waiting to hear back.