Marcos Velez

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Survey Responses

RESPONSES TO THE 2026 ATPE CANDIDATE SURVEY:

1. What do you consider your most significant contributions to Pre-K–12 education from your time in public service?

I believe my most significant contribution has been my consistent support of teachers and their labor organizations through solidarity actions and by answering the call when educators have asked for support. While I have not held elected office, my public service includes sustained, hands-on involvement in my children’s public schools. I have volunteered on campus, participated in programs such as Watch D.O.G.S. and Backpack Buddies, chaperoned school trips, and provided direct support to student organizations. I have also personally sponsored a movie theater rental so a student club could hold a safe and inclusive event. In addition, my work as a labor advocate has focused on strengthening working families, which directly supports student stability, attendance, and academic success. Together, these efforts reflect a practical, community-based commitment to supporting students, educators, and public schools.

2. If elected in 2026, what will your top priorities be for Pre-K–12 education? 

My top priorities will be fully funding public education, improving teacher and staff retention, and ensuring students have access to safe campuses, modern instructional materials, and adequate support services. This includes increasing teacher pay, expanding access to school counselors and special education resources, and eliminating the overreliance on standardized testing. I will stop efforts that divert public funds away from public schools and instead focus on strengthening the public education system that serves the overwhelming majority of Texas students.

I support increasing state revenue dedicated to public schools and believe compensation structures should reflect classroom realities. As part of improving accountability, I support exploring compensation models that better align superintendent pay with teacher pay, ensuring leadership decisions on teacher salaries prioritize educator retention and student outcomes.

In addition, I support expanding gifted and talented programs, strengthening special education services, and increasing access to college readiness and career development programs so all students have clear pathways to success after graduation. A core priority is ensuring students with disabilities are able to learn comfortably, safely, and with dignity through properly funded accommodations, trained staff, and inclusive learning environments.

3. Do you believe Texas public schools should receive additional funding? If so, from what source should the state provide this funding, and should that funding be earmarked at the state level or provided to districts in a matter that provides them with discretion as to how it's spent?

Yes. Texas public schools should receive additional funding. They are so underfunded now that we have to immediately get them to the point of sustainability and then we should invest in Texas future by strongly investing in education.

Texas has the capacity and responsibility to fully fund public education while reducing overreliance on local property taxes. In addition to existing state revenue sources such as general revenue and responsible use of the Economic Stabilization Fund, I support the legalization and regulation of cannabis and expanded legalized gambling, with all resulting tax revenue constitutionally or statutorily earmarked for public purposes.

Any new revenue generated from these sources should be dedicated solely to public education and workforce development priorities, including Pre-K–12 funding, career and technical education, teacher retirement systems, and teacher healthcare. Earmarking these funds ensures they cannot be diverted for unrelated purposes and provides long-term, predictable investment in students and educators.

Funding should be delivered through a balanced approach. Certain investments should be earmarked at the state level, particularly special education services, bilingual education, school safety, and educator compensation, where equity and statewide standards are essential. At the same time, districts should retain discretion over a portion of funding so locally elected school boards can respond to the specific needs of their communities.

Public education funding must be transparent, accountable, and focused on student outcomes, educator retention, and long-term workforce readiness. Investing new, dedicated revenue into schools and educators strengthens communities, supports working families, and builds a more competitive Texas economy.