Sara
PEREZ
SCHOOL BOARD AREA 4
Sara’s
goals
1
STABILITY
for Schools
Sara Perez brings extensive school finance expertise to her candidacy, ensuring taxpayer money is used effectively to benefit all students. With a proven record of turning around financially distressed districts, she’s focused on securing sound education, raising teacher salaries, and attracting top educators. At a time when the board lacks this expertise, Sara’s skills are crucial as the district faces financial challenges and potential funding cuts.
2
LEADERSHIP
for Teachers
Sara has a proven record of strong leadership in school districts and is committed to ensuring that teachers are respected, treated as professionals, and fully supported by the administration. She has experience negotiating on behalf of teachers to secure better working conditions and is dedicated to restoring a positive work environment. Recognizing the dissatisfaction among many educators, Sara is determined to rebuild trust, foster a more supportive atmosphere, and ensure that teachers have the resources they need to excel for the benefit of all students.
3
EMPOWERMENT
for Students
Sara Perez is deeply committed to preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the future. She advocates for an educational approach that goes beyond traditional academics, focusing on developing essential soft skills like creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Sara champions engaging students in hands-on, problem-based learning and STEAM activities, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate and succeed in an evolving world.
Sara’s
ENDORSEMENTS
I am honored to endorse Sara Perez for the upcoming school board election. Having had the privilege of working alongside her during my tenure as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources in the Salinas City Elementary School District, I can confidently say that Sara embodies the qualities needed for this role. Her deep integrity and dedication to the needs of students have been evident throughout her long career as an educator and now as a grandparent of students. Sara’s understanding of the complexities of education, coupled with her unwavering commitment to student success, makes her uniquely qualified to serve our community. Her experience as a Chief Business Officer has given her a comprehensive understanding of the financial and operational aspects of running a school district, and her compassion for students ensures that every decision she makes is grounded in their best interests.
Dr. Beatriz S. Chaidez, Chancellor SJECCD
Our students deserve the highest quality education possible. Sara knows education financing and will ensure our School Board monitors and reviews expenditures to meet the needs of the students. She has grandchildren attending our district schools, and she is committed to positive change. I truly believe she will make a difference for the students of SCESD.
Jennifer Zanzot, Former Principal
Sara Perez has proven herself over and over to be a fiscal expert and her experience will provide the leadership SCESD needs.
Pamela Conner, Former SETC President
Sarah is a proven champion for public education & will be the dynamic leader, deeply needed for the Salinas City Elementary School District!
Vanessa Robinson, SUHSD Trustee
Sara’s
COMMENDATIONS
"Sara Perez brings 40 years of invaluable experience as a Chief Business Officer in K-12 educational settings. Her deep expertise in school finance ensures that every dollar is aligned with and supports the instructional goals of a district. Sara has a remarkable ability to guide districts in reducing expenses while maximizing the impact of funds on essential programs. Her commitment to financial transparency and effectiveness makes her an ideal candidate for a board position, where her insights can help drive educational success."
Dr. Daisy Morales, Superintendent
"Sara Perez as a truly outstanding Chief Business Official and Assistant Superintendent for Business Services and Human Resources. I have worked with Ms. Perez since 2007. She is always in the forefront of our 24 school districts in ensuring the County Office of Education is addressing financial needs of school districts and emerging issues. We often turn to Ms. Perez for committee work on behalf of all school districts. I have found that Ms. Perez is always to the point with a "no nonsense" attitude that holds others accountable for their actions. Ms. Perez analyzes issues and backs up her findings and recommendations with facts. She is a person of great character and integrity who can be trusted. I have found that she always says what needs to be said honestly and respectfully. She can be counted upon to make difficult decisions for what is best for students, her school district and the common good."
Nancy Kotowski, Ph.D, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools
"Sara is a true professional. She treats everyone with respect and manages people effectively. She understands the process involved in planning, developing, implementing and evaluating constructive change in her assigned areas. Sara has made invaluable contributions as a member of the Superintendent's cabinet team. Due to her exceptional analytical skills, I have depended on her to research and recommend solutions to a wide range of complex administrative problems. Sara is a hard worker and takes pride in the quality of her work."
William Stratton, Ed.D, Superintendent
"I have worked directly with Sara and she is extremely helpful in providing information and in helping solve problems to assist programs. This is critical for a quality program. Even though in recent times it has been very difficult to maintain school financial stability, she has done so and has allowed the school to continue to improve the technology program, maintain and improve facilities, allow for increased staff benefits and salaries, provide for additional staff training, and improve the curriculum program. This is only possible if a school has a talented, dynamic, and professional business person. Sara demonstrates all of these qualities in an exemplary way as Assistant Superintendent of Business."
Mike Brusa, Assistant Superintendent
"Sara is a very valuable asset to the District, providing the Board and other stakeholders clear and concise information on the very complicated subject of school finance. With her guidance, Gonzales has been able to avoid the issues faced by many other districts such as layoffs and continued furlough days. It would be difficult to replace Sara with someone of equal skill and competence levels. I have, during my twelve-year tenure on the Gonzales Unified School District's Board of Trustees, Worked with three Business Officers and one Business Officer Consultant. I have found Sara to be the be the most competent and the one who has provided the most clarity to the difficult subject of school finance." Wendy Franscioni, Board of Trustees Gonzales Unified School District