Dr. Art J. Cavazos named Superintendent of Schools by Board of Trustees

During a Special Board meeting on Nov. 13, the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees named Dr. Art J. Cavazos Superintendent of Schools.

As Superintendent of Schools, comes the opportunity to serve in a growing school district with a population of more than 18,500 students, 3,300 employees and 28 campuses.

“I’m both deeply honored and humbled to be given this opportunity to serve our outstanding community in the capacity of Superintendent of Schools of HCISD,” said Dr. Cavazos. “Our district has a strong tradition of excellence, and I would like to thank the Board of Trustees for their efforts as they continue to keep the best interests of our students in mind. As we continue to focus on district-wide achievement, we will remain dedicated to furthering opportunities for success for all students while transforming to meet their present and future educational needs.”

To mark the Board of Trustees’ decision, administrators, school board members, students, parents and community members attended the meeting and subsequent reception honoring Dr. Cavazos as the district’s leader.

“Dr. Cavazos is an innovative and unique leader who I would say is one that could change public education in this country as we know it,” said Board of Trustees President George McShan. “I’m proud to have him as a leader in our district, and we look forward to continuing our transformation and promoting success for all students at HCISD.”

Dr. Cavazos had been serving the district as its Interim Superintendent, and previously as the district’s Deputy Superintendent for Transformation and School Support since 2009. During that time, he has been instrumental in leading the district’s current transformation. These components of transformation include the digital classroom initiative, implementation of Dual Language Academies, transforming the libraries into Information Literacy Centers (ILC), the implementation of campus Internet Cafes, the design of the Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy and future School of Health Professions.

Working in education since 1987, Dr. Cavazos began his teaching career at Edinburg ISD as a math teacher before transitioning to McAllen ISD to serve as a math teacher, counselor and principal. In 1996 he worked as the Director of Secondary Education in Mission ISD where he led efforts in their high school redesign initiative and supervised secondary principals.

Graduating from San Benito High School in 1983, Dr. Cavazos subsequently entered the University of Texas Pan-American in 1987 where he received a bachelor of science. In 1990, he received a master of education, and in the following years earned a Mid-Management Certificate, Superintendency Certificate. Most recently, he completed his doctorate in education at the University of Texas in April 2012.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Cavazos is active in the community. He serves on the Boys and Girls Club board, Su Clinica Familiar board, South Texas Emergency Care Foundation board, and the local UIL Executive Committee. At the State level, Cavazos serves on the UIL Waiver Review board, State Academic Achievement Distinction Designation Committee (AADDC), the TASA Central Office Advisory Committee, and the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium.