Meet the Candidate: Victor Perez, Democrat for State Board of Education, District 2

PHARR, Texas - A candidate for State Board of Education in south Texas says he will push for teacher pay raises if elected to office. Victor Perez acknowledges that funding for pay raises does not ordinarily come from SBOE. Rather, local districts raise money through property taxes and the Legislature provides additional funds based upon student attendance. However, the former school principal, teacher and coach says he will have influence in Austin that some of his election opponents lack.“The State Board does have funding. It has an account to fund stipends or teacher pay raises. You work with TEA (Texas Education Agency) on things like this,” Perez said.Perez is a Pharr native running as a Democrat for the open District 2 slot on the SBOE. The district is anchored in Hidalgo County. Perez recently gave a podcast interview to the Rio Grande Guardian about his candidacy. He also agreed to a livestream with us. “One thing I did not mention (in the livestream), is I have access to state representatives and senators, I have access to the Governor’s office. None of my opponents have that,” Perez said.“Having direct access and direct phone numbers to these individuals… people need to understand how these things work. If I can push, and push, and push, whether it is TEA, or the local districts, I will.”Perez touted the endorsements of state Sen. Eddie Lucio, state Sen. Juan Hinojosa, state Rep. Terry Canales, Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, and others. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.