Q&A: Meet Karen Perez, Pinellas County Commission District 6 Candidate

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Voters in the Nov. 3 general election will decide between incumbent Karen Perez and challenger Kenneth “Ken” Gay in the Hillsborough County School Board District 6 seat.

District 6 is an at-large seat, which means all Hillsborough County voters will have a say in the race.

Patch sent a questionnaire to both candidates. Below are Perez’s unedited responses.

Name: Karen Perez

Office Sought: Hillsborough County School Board, District 6 (Countywide)

Political Party Affiliation: Democrat

Age: 62

City or Town of Residence: Tampa, Florida

Education:

I earned both my Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of South Florida. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida and New York and have additional training and certifications in trauma, cognitive behavioral therapy, domestic violence, and related areas of mental health. My education and professional training have prepared me for more than 35 years of service to children, families, Veterans, and our community.

Occupation:

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and currently serve Veterans and their families through the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital. I am also the CEO and owner of Embracing Changes Center for Wellness, LLC, a private mental health practice I have operated for more than 25 years. Since 2018, I have served as the District 6 countywide representative on the Hillsborough County School Board and currently serve as School Board Chair.

Family Background:

I am a proud mother of three and grandmother of ten. My family has deep roots in public education, organized labor, healthcare, military service, and the skilled trades. I raised my children in the Tampa Bay area, where they attended local public schools, and today I am grateful to see another generation of my family growing and learning. My experiences as a mother and grandmother have shaped my commitment to children and families and strengthened my belief that every child deserves a safe, supportive environment with opportunities to succeed.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No members of my immediate family have held or currently hold elected political office. My family has a strong tradition of community service. Those experiences have reinforced my belief in giving back to the community and serving others.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I was first elected in 2018 to the Hillsborough County School Board, representing District 6 countywide, and was re-elected in 2022. I currently serve as Chair of the Hillsborough County School Board and previously served as Chair (2023) and Vice Chair (2024). Throughout my service, I have focused on student achievement, mental health, safe schools, fiscal responsibility, teacher support and compensation, and ensuring that students and families have access to the resources they need to succeed.

Campaign website and social media:

• Campaign Website: KeepKarenPerez.com
• Facebook: Karen Perez
• Instagram: Karen Perez
• TikTok: Karen Perez

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking re-election because there is still important work to be done for our students, teachers, families, and community. When I first ran in 2018, I brought more than 35 years of experience serving children and families and a strong commitment to addressing student mental health. Today, I want to continue building on the progress we have made while keeping students at the center of every decision. My priorities remain improving academic achievement, supporting and retaining quality teachers, strengthening mental health services, expanding career and technical opportunities, maintaining safe schools, and being fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars. This will be my final term because of term limits, and I want to use that time to continue serving our community with experience, consistency, and a commitment to putting Students First.

What sets you apart from the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring a combination of professional experience, public service, and firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing children and families. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 35 years of experience serving families and have spent nearly two decades working with Veterans and their families. I also own a private mental health practice. Since 2018, I have served District 6 countywide on the Hillsborough County School Board and currently serve as Chair. I understand both the human side of education and the responsibility of governing one of the nation’s largest school districts. As a mother and grandmother, I also understand education from the family perspective. I bring experience in mental health, fiscal oversight, policy, community engagement, and educational governance to every decision I make.

What issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My campaign will focus on the issues I hear about directly from students, parents, teachers, and community members. These include improving student academic achievement; increasing teacher compensation and retaining highly qualified teachers; expanding mental health services and access to social workers, counselors, and psychologists; maintaining safe schools; and strengthening IEP and 504 services. I will continue advocating for career, technical, vocational, and apprenticeship opportunities so students have multiple pathways to successful careers after graduation. Fiscal responsibility and transparency must remain priorities so taxpayer dollars reach classrooms and directly support students. I also want families to better understand the programs and resources available to their children, including ensuring that information reaches our diverse and multilingual communities. Every child deserves access to a high-quality public education and the opportunity to succeed.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have served on the Hillsborough County School Board since 2018 and have been entrusted by my colleagues to serve as both Chair and Vice Chair. During my service, Hillsborough County Public Schools has reached significant milestones, including becoming an A-rated district for the first time in more than a decade and achieving the highest graduation rate in district history. I am also proud of our growth in advanced academics, career and technical education, and opportunities that prepare students for college, careers, and the skilled trades. Professionally, I have spent more than 35 years serving children and families as a social worker and mental health professional. These experiences have taught me how to manage difficult decisions, listen to different perspectives, advocate for vulnerable populations, and remain focused on results while serving a large and diverse community.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice I have received is to never forget where you came from and always remember who you are serving. Leadership is not about a title; it is about listening, showing up, doing the work, and treating people with dignity and respect. Throughout my career as a social worker and my service on the School Board, I have carried that lesson with me. You may not always be able to give everyone the answer they want, but you can listen, be honest, explain your decisions, and make sure people know their voices matter. I also believe that leadership is not measured by promises—it is measured by results. That principle keeps me focused on why I serve: our students, teachers, families, and community.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want voters to know that public service is deeply personal to me. I am a mother, grandmother, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, mental health advocate, healthcare professional, small-business owner, and School Board member. Each of those experiences influences how I approach decisions. I believe strongly in public education and in providing every student—regardless of ZIP code, background, ability, language, or circumstances—with a safe and supportive environment and an opportunity to succeed. I support strong academics, mental health services, competitive teacher compensation, career and technical education, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and safe schools. I believe in listening to students, parents, educators, employees, and community members, even when we disagree. My commitment remains the same as when I was first elected: Students First.