Meet the 3 candidates running for the Pflugerville school board

Two people are vying for an open seat on the Pflugerville school board while former University of Texas football star Alex Okafor is the only candidate for another open seat.

Okafor, who was an All-American for Pflugerville High School and played nine seasons in the NFL until he retired in 2022, is running unopposed for the Place 1 seat.

Vying for the Place 2 seat are Melissa Lee, a 43-year-old district community advocate, and Charlie Torres, 68, a retired representative at Communications Workers of America.

David Aguirre, who holds the Place 1 seat, said he chose to not seek re-election to dedicate more time to his family. In February, Place 2 Trustee Tony Hanson announced his intent to not seek re-election. He did not give a reason but expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the board.

Trustees in the Pflugerville school district, which has more than 26,000 students at 34 campuses, are elected at-large and serve three-year terms. The district also will be under new leadership. Quintin Shepherd, who has led the Victoria school district for six years, was named this month as the lone finalist to replace Doug Killian as superintendent. Killian left Pflugerville in January to lead the Cypress-Fairbanks school district near Houston.

Election day is May 4. Early voting runs from April 22-30.

Place 1

Okafor said he thinks the biggest issues the district faces are budgeting, teacher retention and community support for the older schools. He said residents have told him their biggest concern is the possibility of school closures.

"My goals as a trustee include improving the communication between the board and the community," he said. "Making sure every public school within the district is receiving equal resources, and promoting the school district in a way that improves enrollment and attendance."

He said he understands the influence he has and will use it to uplift the community and create opportunities for students. Since retiring, Okafor has sponsored a youth-focused education program that seeks to promote unity among students through diversity and inclusion initiatives within the Pflugerville school district. He has also hosted youth football camps.

Place 2

Lee said the biggest issues facing the district, similar to others in the state, are financial constraints and budget shortfalls due to insufficient state funding. She said the financial limitations the district is facing hinder the educational opportunities available to students and increase the workload on the teaching staff.

"Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative approach that prioritizes advocacy for adequate state funding, heightened commitment to good financial stewardship, and innovative solutions to sustain and bolster educational excellence within PfISD," Lee said. "I have a demonstrated commitment to engaging with our community to advocate for equitable funding and search for strategies to navigate these issues ensuring that all PfISD students receive the quality education they deserve."

More: Pflugerville selects Victoria Superintendent Quintin Shepherd as its lone finalist

Lee said her experience volunteering in the schools and knowledge in finance makes her the best candidate. Since arriving in Pflugerville in 2019, she has served on advisory committees and as a substitute teacher for the school district. Lee earned her a bachelor's degree in business administration and economics from Benedictine University and developed and analyzed financial reports with companies such as Caterpillar, Nufarm and Ace Hardware.

Torres said the biggest issues the district faces is the lack of funding, teacher shortages, school safety and a lack of equitable educational opportunities. He said he hopes to work with the new superintendent to create rapid change.

"I also want to hit the ground running to discuss priorities from each department and campus, so I can make lasting and meaningful recommendations for the start of the 2024-25 school year." he said. "This is not a time for on-the-job training. I plan on utilizing my previous trustee experience to add insight and value from day one."

Torres spent 14 years as a representative for labor relation cases for AT&T employees. He also has served on the board of the Pflugerville Education Foundation. Before that, he served four terms as a trustee at the Gregory-Portland school district.

Torres said his experience as a trustee has given him the skills to solve the challenges the district is going through and to build relationships with city, county, state and federal officials.

More: Ex-NFL, Texas football star Alex Okafor among Pflugerville school board candidates

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Meet the 3 candidates running for the Pflugerville school board