The El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) and Canutillo Independent School District (CISD) are preparing to interview candidates for the position of superintendent next week, with both districts aiming to finalize their selections by early January 2024. The interviews come amidst significant changes in leadership, as outgoing superintendents prepare to depart.
The EPISD board plans to conduct interviews on November 17 and November 18, with a second round scheduled for early December. According to board President Leah Hanany, the board may vote on a finalist by December 8, with the intention to hire the new superintendent by January 5, 2024. This decision follows the resignation of former superintendent Diana Sayavedra in June, who left under a voluntary separation agreement after earning a salary of $320,000 per year.
Meanwhile, the Canutillo ISD will hold its interviews on November 17, November 19, and November 20, with follow-up interviews set for December 1 and December 2. The board aims to select a finalist by December 9, also planning to finalize the hiring by January 5. Current superintendent Pedro Galaviz is retiring after nearly 13 years in the role.
Under Texas law, both districts are required to wait a minimum of 21 days after selecting a candidate before officially hiring a superintendent. This delay allows for contract negotiations and background checks.
Strong Candidate Pools and Community Input
Hanany noted that the EPISD board received 21 applications for the superintendent position, reflecting a strong pool of candidates. She emphasized that the board’s agenda allows for the possibility of naming a finalist without additional interviews, should they find a suitable candidate during the initial discussions.
“The action item to select five candidates to be asked to interview is an indication that the board felt there was a strong pool of applicants that met the criteria that the community was asking for,” Hanany stated.
Both districts have engaged in community outreach to gather input on the qualities desired in their new superintendents. EPISD conducted community meetings and distributed online surveys that received over 1,000 responses. Participants expressed a desire for a bilingual leader who is supportive of staff and possesses visionary leadership skills.
Patricia Amezaga, a teacher at Coach Wally Hartley PK-8 School, emphasized the need for a superintendent who is experienced and accessible. “What I’d like to see is that the board’s done their homework, that the person that’s coming to us is going to be somebody who has a good track record from a similar-size district, that had struggling schools, and you’ve seen improvement,” Amezaga said.
In Canutillo ISD, community engagement meetings revealed a preference for a financially savvy leader with a proven academic record. Communications director Gustavo Reveles noted that the community seeks a visionary leader who understands the district’s unique challenges, both financially and academically.
Challenges Ahead for New Superintendents
The incoming superintendents will face pressing issues, including declining enrollment and aging infrastructure. A report from the Texas Association of School Boards highlighted these challenges, noting that EPISD’s new leader will need to address potential school closures and improve outdated facilities, particularly concerning malfunctioning air conditioning systems.
The previous superintendent, Sayavedra, had aimed to implement a significant “rightsizing” initiative to manage enrollment declines, a plan that faced considerable community opposition. Diana Ramirez, an EPISD parent and activist, argued for investing in community schools rather than closures. “I think we need to invest in good community schools, neighborhood schools that are walkable… because school closures don’t actually save a lot of money that they’re saying they will,” Ramirez stated.
As both districts prepare for this leadership transition, the focus will be on establishing clear evaluation metrics for the new superintendents and developing strategic plans to guide future initiatives. Hanany indicated the need for a new strategic planning process, particularly as the current plan is set to expire in 2025.
The upcoming interviews signify a pivotal moment for both EPISD and Canutillo ISD, as they seek leaders who will navigate the complexities of modern education while addressing the specific needs of their communities.
