Arlington schools superintendent Marcelo Cavazos announces retirement
Arlington schools superintendent Marcelo Cavazos announced Thursday that he is retiring at the end of August.
Cavazos, 54, has led the 57,000-student district since 2012. He began his public education career 33 years ago and has been in the Arlington school district for 23 years.
He spearheaded two bond measures totaling $1.6 billion. In April, Cavazos added free pre-K for all 4-year-olds, according to a release from the school district. He also created the nation’s first districtwide STEM curriculum for 4-year-olds, according to the district.
Cavazos said in an interview that it’s time to step aside.
“This is a difficult decision, but I know its the right decision for me personally and professionally,” he said.
Cavazos said it’s time to focus on the next chapter of his life, and that he plans to stay in the Arlington area.
“I hope to fill another vehicle, to serve to help young people,” he said.
Cavazos described education as “the great equalizer.” He grew up in poverty, working in the fields of South Texas and the youngest of six children.
“Education has done so much for me and for my family,” he said.
Cavazos said he wanted to stay through August to help with the transition to a new superintendent, and said the board is likely to make a decision soon on searching for his replacement.
He said that the divisiveness seen in school districts throughout the country wasn’t a factor in his decision to retire.
“I knew what I signed up for as superintendent,” he said.
Cavazos thanked everyone from custodians and bus drivers to teachers and principals who faced challenges such as the pandemic.
“Every day, I’m blessed to witness their resiliency,” he said.
Board president Melody Fowler called Cavazos an outstanding leader and said his departure is an “enormous loss to our community.”
“He is revered here in our district and nationwide, too,” Fowler said in a statement released by the district. “In 2016, he was honored as the Superintendent of the Year in Texas from a pool of some 1,200 superintendents. That was a huge honor and one that demonstrates the exceptional leadership he brings to our staff and students daily. Under his leadership, students in the Arlington ISD have more opportunities than ever before. His visionary leadership has truly changed Arlington ISD for generations to come.”
This story was originally published January 26, 2023 at 1:26 PM.