May 3, 2025 Election

Early Voting: April 22 - April 29

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Pearland ISD Board of Trustees, Position 5
Azania Salazar

Nonpartisan Race

www.salazarforpearland.com
Azania Salazar
Qualifications: What training, experience and characteristics qualify you for this position?
I am qualified to lead this position; I bring current in-classroom experience through my Special Education paraprofessional experience. My position has allowed me to understand the unique approaches in education and collaborate with our students at the forefront. As a trusted PTA member, I know firsthand the challenges, successes, and needs of our schools. As a mother of 3 I have seen the lasting impact of Pearland ISD has had on their education.
Opportunities: What opportunities for improvement do you identify in the District and how do you feel the Board should work towards those goals?
I believe an opportunity for growth within the district is differentiated instruction; to provide and meet the diverse needs of all students. The Board can work towards these goals by implementing diverse learning materials into the classroom, small group instruction, and individualized learning time for students. It will take a collaborative effort from the board, teachers, and parents to ensure every student achieves success.
Funding: What actions can the Board take to secure the financial future of the District? Specifically, are there any expenditures you feel should be examined as a cost-saving measure?
The current basic allotment per student is $6,160, which has not increased since 2019. As a district, we are currently projected to be in a deficit going into 2026. In order to secure the financial future for our district we should examine utilities, maintenance, and repairs. By implementing energy efficient practices and preventative maintenance we can extend the lifespan of our facilities and critical systems, which will reduce future expenses.
Supporting Teachers: What do you see as the most pressing issues facing teachers in the District? What actions can the Board take to better support and retain teachers?
Competitive pay is the most pressing issue facing teachers. Providing competitive pay leads to high teacher retention, reflecting overall job satisfaction and retention, which ensures our students success. The Board can support and retain teachers by allocating funding to support the appropriate salaries, ensuring pathways for growth within their career, and ensuring mental health is being addressed.
Future Voters: Assess how the District prepares students to participate in their country’s democracy and describe what the Board can do to support civic engagement efforts.
Our District's curriculum currently prepares students through active participation in democratic and free enterprise systems. To prepare our students the Board can design community-based projects where students solve local problems. Partner with organizations for service-learning opportunities and advocacy campaigns. Combining all of these opportunities will cultivate an understanding of the impact civic engagement has with our community.