A Texas pioneer, a civil rights advocate, the founder of school law, and a leader in music education were honored as the namesakes for Northside ISD's four newest schools.
Thousands of parents, students, and staff members attended the dedication ceremonies for the four schools, which opened in August for the 2009-10 school year.
John Hoffmann, Charles L. Kuentz, Jr., and Ralph Langley elementary schools, and Hector Garcia Middle School joined the 100-plus schools in the Northside School District.
All the schools were funded by the voter-approved School Bond 2007 which will build a dozen new schools.
John Hoffmann Elementary School John Hoffmann was a rancher who played an integral role in the education of children who lived in Northwest Bexar County at the turn of the 20th century. In the late 1800s, Hoffmann and his wife purchased a 1,600-acre ranch on Culebra Road. The ranch already was home to an established one-room school, and Hoffmann donated four acres to the school so that it could expand. He and his wife served as the major benefactors to the school, providing water, wood to heat the school, and room and board for the teacher.
The school, called Culebra, eventually became one of the original 11 schools that consolidated in 1949 to create Northside ISD. Hoffmann Elementary School was built on what was once one of the Hoffmann ranch pastures. (
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Ralph Langley Elementary School Ralph Langley was a man who was committed to public education, public service and the legal profession. He began his law career in 1937 at a San Antonio law firm that eventually became Langley & Banack. In 1970, he was one of eight attorneys who crafted the school law section of the State Bar Association. Soon after, he became one of Northside ISD's first district lawyers and was instrumental in helping the rural school system transition into a large, urban and suburban district. Langley was equally dedicated to the city of San Antonio, serving at various times as chairman of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Public Library. Langley continued practicing law until shortly before his death in 2003 at the age of 88. (
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Charles L. Kuentz, Jr. Elementary School Charles L. Kuentz, Jr. was a band director who instilled in his students a passion for music and also taught them about the importance of character and commitment. He joined Northside in 1974, and very quickly put the Marshall High School Ram Band on the map - and in the record books - when they were invited to play in the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1977. To help raise money for the trip, students held a "band-a-thon" to break the Guinness World Record for the longest, continuously playing band. It took 52 hours, but they broke the record. Despite the many accolades and awards the Ram Band received, students say it was the life lessons Kuentz taught them that had the biggest impact. Kuentz served as a father figure to many of his students, serving as a role model for self-discipline, teamwork, and taking pride in one's work. In 1982, Kuentz moved to Rudder Middle School where he stayed until he retired from the District in 1992. (
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Hector Garcia Middle School Hector Garcia dedicated his life fighting for justice and equality for Mexican Americans. Following graduation from medical school - at a time when few Hispanics became doctors - Dr. Hector P. Garcia joined the army during World War II. Upon returning home, he was frustrated by the lack of health care and financial resources for Hispanic veterans and substandard schools for Mexican American children. He subsequently founded the American GI Forum, which successfully pushed for social and political reform. In 1984, President Reagan awarded Garcia the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor given by a U.S. President. He died in 1996.
"It is such a thrill to be able to honor these exemplary individuals by naming a school after them," Superintendent John Folks said. "They will serve as wonderful role models to many students for years to come." (
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