Paul Pereira has been a resident of Mineola since he was six years old. He attended Jackson Avenue Elementary School, Mineola Middle School, and graduated from Mineola High School in 1989. While in high school Paul was a four-year member of the wrestling and soccer teams and was also involved in student government and the Student Service Center. Outside of school, Paul played MAA soccer and PAL roller hockey. After high school, Paul’s studies continued at Adelphi University from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1993 followed by a Master’s degree in History from Queens College. Paul began his teaching career in the Mineola School District in September of 1993 as a member of the high school Social Studies Department. He has also led the successful boys varsity soccer program for two decades. Now in his 23rd year, Paul continues to enjoy teaching and coaching the young men and women of the Mineola School District.

Paul has been involved in several school, community, and charitable organizations for many years. From the beginning of his career Paul took on many additional responsibilities in the school such as advising several clubs and classes, coaching athletic teams, and coordinating international student exchange programs. Paul was a member of the Site Based Management Team at the high school for several years and is one of the original members of the MHS Alumni Foundation. He is also a member of several parent and community organizations. Outside of school Paul is a dedicated member of the Lions Club for the last 20 years, having served as club treasurer for two years. In 2015, Paul was recognized as a Melvin Jones Fellow. This is the highest recognition a member of Lions International can receive.

Paul first ran for and was elected to the position of Village Trustee in 2008. He decided to run in 2008 because he wanted to give back to the community that has given him so much, personally and professionally. In 2011 Trustee Pereira was designated Deputy Mayor by Mayor Scott Strauss. He is seeking re-election for his fifth term because he wants to continue to serve the residents of Mineola. Trustee Pereira wants to ensure that our village continues to face challenges head on and continues to reap the rewards of the opportunities afforded it. He wants to continue to be an active part of the team that will lead Mineola into a brighter future for all residents. Trustee Pereira is confident that the Village is prepared to meet any challenges thrown its way precisely because of the position the current board has put the village in. The Village’s fiscal future is stable and secure in large part due to the hard work of the current administration under the leadership of Mayor Strauss. This board, like their recent predecessors, has fulfilled its promise to put out fiscally responsible budgets while maintaining services and continuing to significantly pay down debt with no new long term borrowing whatsoever. It is this accomplishment that Paul is most proud of in his eight years on the Village Board. Furthermore, Trustee Pereira wants to see through to the end the ongoing plans for downtown revitalization, infrastructure improvements, and improvements to our parks and fields.

Paul has lived in Mineola for nearly four decades and feels that there is no better place to raise a family. Paul, his wife Diana, and their children, Andrew, Sofia, and Ana, look forward to calling Mineola home for many years to come.