Fourteen years ago, San Antonio made a significant investment in its youngest residents. In 2012, voters approved a one-eighth-of-a-cent sales tax to establish Pre-K 4 SA, an initiative designed to expand access to high-quality early childhood education. Today, the program has grown beyond its original four education centers, developing partnerships with school districts and early learning providers throughout the community. But as Pre-K 4 SA looks toward its next chapter, important questions remain: Has the program delivered on its promise? What does it cost taxpayers? And why should voters authorize it to continue for another 20 years?

On this episode of Beyond the Bite with Eddie Aldrete, I sit down with Elaine Mendoza, chair of the Pre-K 4 SA board and a member of the original team that helped establish the program, and Dr. Sarah Baray, who has led the organization since 2016. They explain the thinking behind the original initiative, why early childhood education became a community priority, and how Pre-K 4 SA complements rather than replaces traditional public education. We also examine the program's funding model, the services it provides beyond the classroom, and its efforts to help other early learning providers improve quality while keeping their businesses sustainable.

The conversation also explores the long-term case for investing in children before they reach kindergarten. Baray discusses the research behind early brain development, the importance of learning through play, and the connections between early education and later academic achievement, career opportunities, and economic mobility.

Mendoza describes how Pre-K 4 SA has evolved since its launch, sharing best practices with other providers and building a broader early learning network. The guests also discuss the role of parents and families, including how giving children a strong educational foundation can influence the opportunities available to an entire household.

Finally, we look ahead to the future of Pre-K 4 SA and the proposal to seek a 20-year authorization. Why is a longer planning horizon important? How can the program maintain accountability while continuing to innovate? And what are the implications for San Antonio's workforce and economic competitiveness?

Whether you view Pre-K 4 SA primarily as an educational initiative, a public investment, or an economic development strategy, this conversation examines the results, the costs, and the choices facing the community. This conversation is about more than pre-school, it's about what kind of community does San Antonio want to become and what it is willing to invest to get there.

For more information, go to https://prek4sa.com/

In this episode, Eddie Aldrete sits down with Kevin Dinnin, Board Chair of the Greater San Antonio Chamber, and Paul Basaldua, Board Chair of the Metro San Antonio Chamber, for an in-depth conversation about an unprecedented effort to unify San Antonio's business voice.

Together, they discuss the evolving roles of the city's two major chambers of commerce, tracing their origins, missions, and the vision behind their planned merger. You'll hear candid reflections on the challenges of merging nonprofit organizations, what it means for economic development, and how business leadership can tackle generational poverty and foster opportunity across the city.

This episode captures the optimism, collaboration, and pragmatic problem-solving at the heart of San Antonio’s business community—highlighting how the unified chamber could amplify local advocacy, bridge historic divides, and shape the city’s future for generations to come. Join us as we explore the power of working together and what it really takes to move a city forward.

San Antonio’s media landscape is changing—and a new voice is asking some important questions. In this episode of Beyond the Bite, Eddie Aldrete sits down with Phil Reichert, editor of The Civic San Antonio, an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan media outlet focused on accountability journalism. Reichert explains why the founders of The Civic believed San Antonio needed a different kind of local news outlet—and how their mission of accountability journalism is designed to ask a simple question: “Is our city working the way it should?”

The conversation takes a closer look at what accountability journalism means in practice—from comparing what public officials say they will do with what actually happens, to examining whether institutions are achieving the goals they set for themselves. Reichert and Aldrete discuss the changing San Antonio media environment, the challenges facing traditional news organizations, and why local journalism matters when decisions made at City Hall can directly affect the everyday lives of residents. They also explore some of the biggest issues facing San Antonio, including the downtown arena, development, taxes, the city budget and the growing pressure on local government to make difficult choices.

Looking ahead, Reichert shares his vision for The Civic and for San Antonio itself. Beyond covering conflict at City Hall, he wants to examine the institutions and leaders working to move the community forward—and the importance of building consensus around a shared vision for the city's future. From economic development to downtown investment and the potential for greater collaboration among San Antonio's civic institutions, this conversation explores not only what is happening at City Hall, but the bigger question of where San Antonio is going—and who is helping shape its future.