Yakima resident Patrick Perez is the newest member of the Educational Service District 105 Board of Directors.  Perez was sworn in during the regular monthly board meeting on July 20 by new ESD 105 superintendent Steve Myers.

Perez will represent the seven-member board for District 2, which includes the west portion of the Yakima School District.

“Having worked with Patrick over the years on several educational and community endeavors, I know he will bring a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and experience to the board,” said ESD 105 superintendent Steve Myers, whose attendance at the July board meeting was his first since starting his duties as the regional education agency's leader on July 1.

The newest board member was appointed in June to step into the same seat that was previously held for seven years by his late wife, Maggie Perez.  Mrs. Perez, who joined the ESD 105 Board in 2003, was the group’s veteran member when she vacated her position on May 3.  She died on July 4.

Mr. Perez comes to the board with an employment background in community service roles and a longtime record as a community volunteer.  He worked with Washington State Employment Security in Yakima from 1984 to 1995 as a case manager, project coordinator, and outreach worker.  He later worked at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic as a project coordinator, parenting educator, and outreach worker from 1995 until his retirement in 2005.

Mr. Perez has been a member of the Yakima School District’s Strategic Planning Committee (1987-1990), the Yakima Valley Red Cross’s Board of Directors (1990-1992), the Yakima Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors (1994-1999), the Yakima Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Project Executive Board (2003-2004), and the Eastern Washington University’s Migrant Program Advisory Board (2004-2006).

Prior to moving to Yakima, he served on the Board of Trustees of the Alisal Union School District in Salinas, California, during 1974-1980.

“This is an opportunity to engage again with this region and help the educational system,” said Mr. Perez.  “Education is important to our present and to our future.  It’s what helps our youths to be properly prepared for the work force and for careers, and to be productive in their chosen fields.”

The ESD 105 Board of Directors is comprised of members who reside in seven areas of the agency’s region and who are accountable to and elected by the school board members in the region’s public school districts.  The ESD 105 Board of Directors provides direction to the ESD 105 superintendent, who is advised by local school district superintendents.