Antonio Martinez’s record on the San Ysidro School District Board of Education is drawing criticism from fellow board member Kenia Peraza as he campaigns for a seat on the San Diego City Council.
Peraza questioned Martinez’s involvement in board decisions, particularly those related to the district’s finances. She said board members were warned in 2025 about the possibility of serious financial problems but nevertheless approved decisions that, in her view, could put the district’s financial stability at risk.
Disagreement Over Financial Decisions
Martinez has served on the San Ysidro School District Board since December 2012 and is now running for the District 8 seat on the San Diego City Council.
According to Peraza, the board had been discussing the district’s financial outlook for months before voting on a 2025 labor agreement. She said members understood that approving the deal could contribute to negative financial figures.
Peraza also criticized what she described as the district’s reliance on legal services, arguing that money spent on attorneys could instead be directed toward students.
She specifically questioned Martinez’s approach to legal matters, saying she believes he has relied on attorneys to defend the district’s image rather than address what she considers the underlying problems.
Questions About the Handling of Abuse Allegations
Peraza also raised concerns about the district’s handling of allegations of sexual abuse involving a student.
She said the information provided to the board after the incidents was limited and that, in her view, some internal policies and procedures were not followed.
According to Peraza, Martinez proposed hiring an outside investigator to determine whether the district had acted appropriately. She said Martinez ultimately selected the investigator without presenting multiple proposals.
Peraza also described attending court hearings related to the case and said Martinez criticized her involvement, telling her that she was not an attorney and that the matter should be left to lawyers.
She added that she has advocated for security cameras in common areas of the school but said Martinez opposed the measure.
Peraza’s Decision to Run for District 8
Peraza also ran for San Diego City Council District 8 in 2026, saying Martinez’s candidacy was among the reasons she entered the race.
She argued that her experience on the school board had given her a direct view of the decisions affecting students and the surrounding community.
Peraza also questioned Martinez’s motivations for remaining on the school board while pursuing a seat on the City Council, alleging that his long-term goal had been to move into another elected position.
Martinez is seeking the District 8 seat for a third time, according to Peraza, who has publicly challenged his record on the school board and his approach to district governance.
