McALLEN — Three people have thus far filed to run for trustees on the school board here in the May 1 election, and although potential candidates still have weeks left to file, none of the seats are as of yet contested.
Current candidates include Place 1 and 7 incumbents Debbie Crane-Aliseda and Sam Saldivar Jr., respectively, along with newcomer Sofia M. Pena, who is running for Place 6.
Larry Esparza is stepping down from the Place 6 post after opting to launch a bid for a McAllen City Commission seat.
Pena, the only potential newcomer so far, is the current executive director of the Capable Kids Foundation, a McAllen nonprofit that aims to improve the quality of life for families and individuals living with disabilities in the Rio Grande Valley.
Noting that she comes from a family of public service, Pena touts her experience in education as part of her qualifications.
“I have extensive experience in education having spent many years in higher education with a concentration in K-12,” she wrote. “I was instrumental in the development of the Early College High Schools program in our region through my years at South Texas College and continue to be an advocate for dual credit and college for all.”
Advocating for people with disabilities will be among her priorities as trustee if elected, Pena said.
“I am seeking to provide my experienced perspective on the school board and promise to be prepared and make decisions that are honest, fair, and for the greater good of the McAllen ISD community,” she wrote.
Both of the other candidates are seeking to defend their current seats on the board.
Crane-Aliseda has served two terms on the board so far, during which she pointed to her support of teachers as well as the expansion of academic programs in fine arts, dual language immersion, science and technology.
“Public school districts are the backbone of a community,” Crane-Aliseda wrote in a release. “An education changes the trajectory of a family, of a community. To achieve that quality education, that skilled workforce, you need a successful school district. This is done by electing board members who are competent, have the time, preparedness and integrity to be trusted with your money and your children. I have a proven record of precisely these qualities and ask you to continue trusting me to make sound decisions for our school district.”
Crane-Aliseda’s release included a long list of detailing her civic involvement and professional experience, along with compliments from previous trustee Hilda De Shazo and current trustee Danny Vela.
Saldivar also noted a long list of community service on his resume, among them service with the Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunity and Scholarships, work with the Disability Chamber of Commerce RGV and the Boy Scouts of America.
Saldivar further noted that he is the first and only trustee to earn the master trustee designation through the Leadership Texas Association of School Boards and that he currently serves as board vice president.
“I seek another term as your McAllen ISD Board Trustee, Place 7, to continue to serve my community as an advocate for excellence in education, financial transparency, and equitable outcomes by working together to continue to build on providing every student a quality education,” he wrote. “I humbly ask for your vote and continued support.”
Potential candidates have until Feb. 12 to file their applications, which are available at 2200 Tamarack Ave., Portable 69.
McAllen ISD has created a webpage with information on the election and the candidates, available at www.mcallenisd.org/page/2021-school-board-elections.
