Perla Muñoz Hopkins brings experience as a former Leander ISD teacher, U.S. Air Force veteran, parent of LISD graduates, band mom, and school volunteer. She holds three master’s degrees in adult education, secondary teaching, and Spanish literature.

About | Perla Hopkins

Perla (former LISD Teacher) and husband are proud parents of LISD graduates. Their 3 children are now UT Longhorns.

Board: Elections | Leander ISD

Perla Muñoz Hopkins holds three master’s degrees in adult education, secondary teaching, and Spanish literature. She and her husband are parents of three children who are graduates of Leander ISD.

Board: Elections - Leander ISD

Perla has taught PreK-12 at public schools in Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and Department of Defense schools in Europe. Her background also includes teacher mentoring via MS State, curriculum development, library programs, military-family advocacy, school fundraising, and participation in state education-policy discussions.

Perla Muñoz Hopkins

Perla Muñoz Hopkins is living proof of the American Dream. When Perla was homeless, her public schools were safe havens loaded with opportunity. She graduated high school with a 4.0 Ranked #1of 253. At age 18, Perla enlisted in the USAF (4 years) and continued serving our country as a military spouse for the past 25 years.

Perla Muñoz Hopkins previously taught PreK–12 students in public schools in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas, as well as in Department of Defense schools in Europe, and served as a teacher in Leander ISD. She served in the U.S. Air Force for four years.

Perla previously taught PreK–12 students in public schools in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas, as well as in Department of Defense schools in Europe, and served as a teacher in Leander ISD. She served in the U.S. Air Force for four years.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

If elected, what new district projects or policies would you like to see implemented?
An avid STEAM supporter, I’m for Orchestra Programs at secondary schools throughout LISD. Parents are Partners in Education; I’ll strongly support overturning the 2021 Clear-Bag and policy which limits the parent voice at school board meetings to ONLY 90 Seconds. I’ll continue advocating for Public Education at the TX Capitol.

Q&A: Meet the candidates for Leander ISD Place 2

PERLA'S PRIORITIES FOR LEANDER ISD
Priorities

Academics: Foundational Reform, Best Practices & Students First! Proficient Readers & Writers, STEAM, Orchestra Program, Quality Instructional Materials and Curriculum aligned with TEKS.

Supports orchestra programs at secondary schools throughout Leander ISD.

Supports Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills-aligned curriculum and quality instructional materials.

- Supports orchestra programs at secondary schools throughout Leander ISD.
- Supports Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills-aligned curriculum and quality instructional materials.

School Curriculum

Fiscal Responsibility: We must Reduce the Budget and Provide Tax Relief to LISD Families. Apt volunteers are at the ready to eliminate Fraud, Waste and Abuse. LOWER TAXES!

Transparency: Finances/Budget/Expenditures. FOIA Public Information Requests efficiently provided, Posted Check Register/Transactions, Board Books & Agendas to be published for the Public in accordance with TOMA regulations.

Calls for reducing the district budget and providing tax relief to Leander ISD families.

Proposes publishing district financial records, including check registers, transactions, board books, and agendas, and promptly responding to public-information requests.

- Calls for reducing the district budget and providing tax relief to Leander ISD families.
- Proposes publishing district financial records, including check registers, transactions, board books, and agendas, and promptly responding to public-information requests.

School Facilities & Resources

Safety: 24/7 Mandated Reporters —TEAOIG. Secure Bus Transportation, Terminate LISD Police Dept (under investigation) —continue partnerships with LISD Corridor Police, Constables, Sheriffs, SROs, LISD Marshalls —see House Bill 3.

Proposes terminating the Leander ISD Police Department and continuing partnerships with corridor police, constables, sheriffs, school resource officers, and marshals.

- Proposes terminating the Leander ISD Police Department and continuing partnerships with corridor police, constables, sheriffs, school resource officers, and marshals.

Student Wellbeing

Teachers/AuxStaff: The Pillars of LISD! Guaranteed annual raises and incentives for Personnel to meet/exceed the national average and cost-of-living in Greater Austin. TRS advocacy for Teachers and Retirees.

In 2020, Leander ISD teachers spoke to Perla when they didn’t receive their yearly raise. An $800 payment was allotted by December, thanks to the countless parents that stood up for our teachers. Perla also advocates for auxiliary staff experiencing low-pay and dire working conditions. She is a public servant,  a voice for Parents, Students, and Teachers.

Supports guaranteed annual raises and incentives for district personnel to meet or exceed Greater Austin cost-of-living averages and national averages.

Advocates for auxiliary staff experiencing low pay and “dire working conditions.”

- Supports guaranteed annual raises and incentives for district personnel to meet or exceed Greater Austin cost-of-living averages and national averages.
- Advocates for auxiliary staff experiencing low pay and “dire working conditions.”

Teachers

Plans to continue advocating for public education at the Texas Capitol.

- Plans to continue advocating for public education at the Texas Capitol.

Access to Education

Perla Muñoz Hopkins

- Supports Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills-aligned curriculum and quality instructional materials.

Buket Urgen

Mauricio Mendez

Alejandra Gracias

Chitra Nedun

Meg Dean

- A trustee is an elected member of a local school board who helps govern a public school district.

- Trustees represent community interests and are responsible for setting policies that guide how the school district operates.

- The board of trustees hires and evaluates the superintendent, who manages the day-to-day operations of the district.

- Trustees approve the district’s budget, monitor spending, and may set the local tax rate or call for bond elections to fund schools.

- The board also oversees educational programs, district goals, and overall performance.

- In Texas, trustees are elected to four-year terms, often on a rotating basis, so not all seats are elected at the same time.

- Trustees serve without financial compensation.

An official who sets policy for a local school district. 