San Benito extends super’s contract; boosts pay by $20,000

Fred Perez

SAN BENITO — After giving him “strong” marks on his job performance, the school board is extending Superintendent Fred Perez’s contract, boosting his salary by $20,000.

With a year left on a two-year contract, the board’s giving him a three-year contract extension running to 2029 while bumping his $185,000 salary to $205,000.

“This decision reflects our confidence in the superintendent’s leadership and the positive direction of our district,” school board President Ariel Cruz-Vela said Tuesday.

”Under the guidance of Mr. Perez, our schools have achieved notable progress in academic performance, fiscal responsibility and student opportunities,” she said in a statement. “The board believes that continuity in leadership is essential to sustaining this momentum and advancing the district’s long-term goal to be the gold standard in public education. Together, we look forward to continuing to provide the best opportunities for our students, staff and families.”

A month after his first job evaluation, the three-year contract extension helps bring stability to the district’s top administrative post, Perez said.

“It brings stability to the district,” Perez said in an interview. “We’ve shown a lot of improvement in one year. Knowing that I’ve got until 2029, we can do a lot more.”

As they work to set goals for the upcoming year, Perez is forging a deepening bond with board members while carrying the support of much of the district’s staff.

“We have a great relationship with all seven,” he said, referring to board members. “Everybody gives their opinion.”

Earlier this month, board members announced the Texas Education Agency had given the district a grade of “A,” with a score of 100, on its Financial Integrity Rating System report, reflecting the district’s financial standing.

During the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, the TEA gave the district scores of 98.

San Benito CISD superintendent Alfredo Perez speaks during the district’s final Superintendent’s Advisory Committee meeting in May at El Gallito in San Benito. (Courtesy: San Benito CISD/Facebook)

Since the 2023-24 school year, when he took over as acting superintendent, officials have been working to adjust staffing levels to align with student enrollment numbers, a move that’s saved about $2 million, Perez said, adding he assigned administrators additional duties.

Going into Perez’s second year on the job, officials have boosted enrollment by about 200 students a year following years of falling numbers.

Under Perez, the board’s passed a new $134.4 million general fund budget with a $31 million fund balance.

In August 2024, the school board named Perez superintendent following a two-month statewide search, signing him to a two-year contract paying $185,000 after he had served as acting superintendent since September 2023.

During his career with the school district, Perez had served as federal programs director, San Benito High School’s assistant principal and Miller Jordan Middle School’s principal while also working as a teacher.

In September 2023, a previous school board appointed Perez acting superintendent after past Superintendent Theresa Servellon resigned following a suspension with two years remaining on her three-year contract paying a $203,400 salary.

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