EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Canutillo Independent School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday, June 17, selected Jesica Arellano as the interim superintendent, the district announced in a news release.
This comes after Canutillo ISD Superintendent Pedro Galaviz announced his retirement last month, following nearly 13 years of service guiding the district. He will continue serving in that role through July 31.
Beginning August 1, he will transition into the role of superintendent emeritus, during which he will advise, train, and support Arellano and collaborate with the Board of Trustees through the end of the calendar year, Canutillo ISD said.
Canutillo ISD said that Arellano, the district’s current executive director of curriculum and instruction, will lead the district while trustees search for a permanent superintendent.
“We had a tremendous pool of candidates, most of whom are Canutillo-grown. While any of them could do a great job of serving the District in this role, we are confident that Dr. Arellano has the skills to continue moving the District in the right direction,” board President Armando Rodriguez said.
The district said Arellano has a 20-year career in public education, having served as a teacher, instructional coach, campus administrator, and central office administrator in both the Canutillo and Fabens school districts.
Arellano worked an as environmental and manufacturing engineer for different firms in El Paso, the district added.
She is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering. Arellano earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Texas A&M University, Canutillo ISD said.
“I am thrilled to have the chance to help lead this amazing school district, its students and employees through this transition,” Arellano said. “Canutillo ISD educated my children, and I am an employee and taxpayer in the district. This is an opportunity to do something that will impact my entire community.”
“Trustees directed the district’s legal counsel and authorized the board president to work on Arellano’s contract, including her compensation,” read the news release.
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