Brownsville ISD names lone finalist for superintendent
Timothy E. Cuff
The Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday named Timothy E. Cuff as the lone finalist for superintendent of schools on a 4-3 vote.
The vote came during a rescheduled regular board meeting. Trustee Minerva M. Pena made the motion to name Cuff the lone finalist and was joined by Trustees Denise Garza, Frank Ortiz and Carlos Elizondo. Board President Daniella Lopez Valdez and Trustees Jessica G. Gonzalez and Neida Ruth Soto-Grantland voted against.
Cuff is the principal of Americo Paredes Elementary and the former principal of Sharp Elementary School. In May 2021, BISD announced that Cuff was moving from assistant superintendent of support services to lead Sharp Elementary.
As required by Texas law, BISD must now observe a mandatory 21-day waiting period before officially hiring Cuff as superintendent. After the waiting period, the board may take final action to approve an employment contract and formally appoint him the next BISD superintendent of schools.
In a news release, BISD stated that Cuff was chosen following an extensive search process conducted by the board in partnership with the Austin law firm of O'Hanlon, Demerath, & Castillo, P.C., which also serves as the board's legal counsel.
Throughout the process, the board and the search firm engaged with stakeholders through community town halls, roundtable discussions, and other outreach efforts, the release stated.
In addition, a district climate survey conducted this spring gathered feedback from employees to help shape the superintendent profile and job posting. Through these engagement opportunities, stakeholders consistently emphasized the importance of selecting a leader who is visible and engaged in the community, responsive to the region's evolving workforce needs, committed to meaningful engagement with teachers and bilingual families, and accountable in the stewardship of public resources.
The 21-day waiting period will be complete on July 15, which will meet the board's stated goal of having the new superintendent in place prior to the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The first day of classes is Aug. 10.
Cuff succeeds former superintendent Jesus H. Chavez, who announced he would not seek a new employment contract and subsequently was placed on administrative leave.
The board expressed appreciation for the participation and feedback provided by staff, parents, students, and community members during the search process, as well as to everyone who applied and expressed interest in leading the district as its next superintendent.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 10:51 PM.