Board of Education Trustee Area 5, Merced County
Jesse D. Perez
Merced College Student/Candidate for Merced County Board of EducationDemocratic
Los Banos, CA
As a lifelong resident and local student, I understand our schools not only from the perspective of a student, but also through my experiences in agricultural education, STEM education, and environmental education.
I am currently studying General Agriculture, with a personal focus on agroecology. Agroecology is an interdisciplinary field drawing from agricultural, environmental, and social sciences. Education is an important part of agroecology, particularly education that connects students with their communities and the environment around them.
I’m currently a member of
- California Agricultural Teachers Association
- North American Association for Environmental Education
I have had the opportunity to serve as a State Judge for the California FFA, where I interviewed and evaluated students competing in their respective proficiency areas. State judging panels are typically composed of three to four judges from across California with experience relevant to each field.
‘25: Agricultural Education and Agricultural Communication
‘26: Environmental Science/Natural Resources & Forestry ‘
27: Not yet assigned, either Agricultural Education or Environmental Science
I have done research at UC Merced in regards to both agricultural technology and plant biology, contributing to a lab. I was able to communicate my findings to the community, including K-12 students who were visiting the research symposium. I am also a former intern at UC Merced’s CalTeach Learning Lab, a program that exposes Central Valley K-12 students to STEM education and prepares STEM majors for careers in education.
My focuses include,
- Support for Agricultural & Career Technical Education
- Promoting Environmental Education & Further STEM Investments
- Partnerships with Merced College & UC Merced
- Opposition to AI in classrooms
- Protecting students from ICE
- Promoting Teacher Recruitment and Retention
I may be young, but I have demonstrated a commitment towards education, something I would never want to leave behind. I’m new to elected office, not education!
Learn more at https://perezforeducation.neocities.org
Where does Jesse D. Perez stand on the issues?
Jesse D. Perez has a recorded position on eight issues. Each is Jesse D. Perez's own wording, written on their Civoren profile.
Agriculture
SupportsAs someone involved in agriculture, I believe we must further support agricultural education here in Merced County. As trustee, I will be an advocate for agricultural education and remain involved in it.
In their own wordsAs of September 2026
AI Regulation & Safety
SupportsStudents and educators must be safe in the classroom and online. I oppose AI usage in our classrooms from an environmental, moral, and safety standpoint. We recently had an incident at LBUSD where a student used AI to create sexually explicit images of a substitute, where it was spread out. We can't afford another incident like this.
In their own wordsAs of September 2026
Data Centers
OpposesEven though I'm running for Board of Education, I strongly oppose data centers. I will actively campaign against data centers in our community throughout this campaign and as a trustee.
In their own wordsAs of September 2026
Food Insecurity
SupportsI support efforts towards ensuring that local produce makes it to our schools, allowing students to have healthy and local choices. The Central Valley is a food desert, with some students not having access to produce at their homes, despite us growing the world's food. I want to work with districts in potentially distributing excess produce from local growers.
In their own wordsAs of September 2026
Immigration
SupportsI oppose the actions taken by ICE in the community and across the United States. I believe students and their families should feel safe in their communities, not fearing the fact they may be torn apart at random.
In their own wordsAs of September 2026
K-12 Education
SupportsI believe public education dollars should strengthen our traditional public schools. As trustee, I will ensure further accountability and transparency when it comes to charter schools. Unions are a part of the American tradition, ensuring that workers are paid and treated fairly in a time where companies took advantage. As trustee, I will ensure that the unions have a seat at the table, working with them to ensure that their voice gets heard.
In their own wordsAs of September 2026
Posts from Jesse D. Perez
View the post- NewJesse D. PerezOct 25, 2026
I may be 19 years old, 20 come Election Day, but I've always been involved in education. I'm new to elected office, not education, why not elect someone who understands education from within instead of purely from above.
Education
- Merced CollegeMerced, CAGeneral Agriculture
- Pacheco High SchoolLos Banos, CAHigh School Diploma
Endorsements
- Daniel Garibay RodriguezCommunity Organizer & Former Candidate for CA-1310/23/2026
"I'm proud to endorse Jesse D. Perez for the Merced County Board of Education.
His commitment to protecting immigrant students, standing with educators, and expanding college and career opportunities reflects the future I believe our Valley deserves."
AV Alberto VelardePrincipal and former Candidate for Merced County Superintendent of Schools9/24/2026Our students deserve a representative who values every ambition, and that is exactly why I am supporting Jesse Perez for the Merced County Board of Education. Jesse recognizes that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach doesn't work for our diverse student body. By championing both college readiness and robust Career Technical Education (CTE) certification programs, Jesse is proving that he supports every student’s potential. He is a leader who understands that success looks different for everyone, and he is ready to work hard to make sure every student in Merced County has the tools to reach their goals.
DO Democratic Municipal Officials9/24/2026Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO) is a national organization representing current and future Mayors, City Council Members, Commissioners, School Board Members, and Special District Representatives across the United States who identify with the values of the Democratic Party.
Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte9/24/2026Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte endorses candidates and works to elect lawmakers who will support comprehensive sexual health education, reproductive health, and rights.
EC Equality California10/16/2026Equality California endorses viable candidates running for local office, statewide offices, the state legislature, and Congress who have a proven track record of supporting equal rights and legal protections for LGBTQ+ Californians and who are committed to advancing these goals in their capacity as elected officials.
Except in rare circumstances, Equality California only endorses openly LGBTQ+ candidates in local races, with the goal of supporting the careers of exceptional leaders in our community to build and develop a bench of strong openly LGBTQ+ leaders and candidates for higher office.
UJ United for Water Justice9/24/2026United for Water Justice works to elect leaders who view the lack of safe and affordable drinking water in their communities as an environmental justice issue, and who seek to lift the burden currently faced by low-income communities of color who go thirsty under the weight of mismanagement, pollution, and scarcity.
RS Run for Something9/26/2026Run for Something (RfS) is a progressive American political organization dedicated to recruiting and supporting young candidates running for down-ballot office. Its mission is to get young progressive candidates from non-traditional backgrounds to run for and win state and local offices, and create a next generation slate of political candidates that will seek higher office in the future.