Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
January 24, 2026

Prelude Prep Bolsters Board with Education Veterans Cardenas and Rhoades

TLDR

  • Prelude Prep gains a strategic advantage by appointing experienced leaders Sonya Cardenas and Laura Rhoades to its Board, enhancing governance and community partnerships.
  • Prelude Prep appointed two retired educators with over 60 combined years of experience in education, leadership, and business to strengthen board governance and strategic planning.
  • These appointments strengthen Prelude Prep's mission to provide high-quality education, fostering better student outcomes and stronger community partnerships for families in San Antonio.
  • Prelude Prep's new board members bring diverse expertise from education to insurance, enriching the charter school's leadership with unique professional backgrounds.

Impact - Why it Matters

This news matters because it demonstrates how charter schools are strategically strengthening their leadership to better serve communities, particularly in areas where educational options may be limited. For families on San Antonio's southside, these appointments signal Prelude Prep's commitment to experienced governance that can enhance educational quality and community partnerships. In the broader context of education reform, such moves show how charter schools are investing in professional expertise to improve student outcomes and institutional accountability. The specific backgrounds of Cardenas and Rhoades—combining educational leadership with business and community relations experience—reflects a holistic approach to school governance that prioritizes both academic excellence and operational sustainability.

Summary

Prelude Prep, a tuition-free public charter school on San Antonio's southside serving Pre-K through 8th grade students, has significantly strengthened its leadership by appointing two distinguished education veterans to its Board of Directors. Sonya Cardenas brings over 34 years of public education experience, including school principal leadership, instructional expertise, and additional background in employee benefits administration and client relations as a licensed Life and Health Agent. Laura Rhoades contributes more than 30 years of combined experience in education, insurance, customer service, and business, with a career dedicated to student success and community relationship building. Both appointments reflect the school's commitment to strong governance and community partnership as it continues to grow as a high-quality academic option since opening in 2021.

Board Chair Jen Taylor-Paquette enthusiastically welcomed the new members, emphasizing how their valuable experience and perspective align with Prelude Prep's mission. Cardenas will serve on the Board's Development Committee, contributing specific expertise in family engagement and community partnerships, while Rhoades will support governance, strategic planning, and operational oversight. These strategic appointments demonstrate the school's focus on accountability and thoughtful leadership as it establishes itself as a premier educational institution for families seeking alternatives on the southside of San Antonio. The school's continued growth and commitment to excellence can be explored further through its official website at https://preludeprep.org, which provides comprehensive information about its programs and community impact.

The addition of Cardenas and Rhoades represents more than just administrative changes—it signals Prelude Prep's dedication to leveraging decades of combined educational expertise to enhance student outcomes and community relationships. With Cardenas's background in instructional leadership and Rhoades's experience in business operations, the Board gains complementary skill sets that will guide the school's strategic direction. As a tuition-free public charter school that has operated since 2021, Prelude Prep's strengthened leadership comes at a crucial time in its development, positioning the institution to better serve Pre-K through 8th grade students and families who rely on high-quality educational options in their community. The appointments underscore how charter schools are investing in experienced leadership to fulfill their educational missions effectively.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Prelude Prep Bolsters Board with Education Veterans Cardenas and Rhoades

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