Galaviz’s retirement accepted

The Canutillo Independent School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday officially accepted the retirement notice of Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz, effective December 31, 2025.

Dr. Galaviz will continue serving as Superintendent of Schools through July 31, 2025. Beginning August 1, he will transition into the role of Superintendent Emeritus, during which he will advise, train, and support an interim superintendent and collaborate with the Board of Trustees through the end of the calendar year. From January through June 2026, Dr. Galaviz will remain available to the district on an as-needed basis to support its leadership team.

Board President Armando Rodriguez issued the following statement:

“The Board of Trustees is grateful for the 13 years Dr. Galaviz has dedicated to improving the lives of students in Canutillo ISD. Under his leadership, the district has transformed from a low-performing system into one of the top suburban school districts in Texas.

Dr. Galaviz has consistently demonstrated responsible stewardship of the District’s well-being and has never requested a pay increase that wasn’t also extended to all staff. We look forward to continuing to have his leadership and insight as we begin the transition to an interim superintendent and begin the search for a permanent leader.

We wish him all the best in his retirement and look forward to his continued involvement in our community.”

The Board voted unanimously to approve these transition plans and authorized legal counsel, along with President Rodriguez, to work with Dr. Galaviz on finalizing the details of his retirement agreement.

Additionally, the Board unanimously approved beginning the process of selecting a search firm to assist in identifying and hiring a new permanent superintendent.

The Board also voted to bring forward names for consideration for an interim superintendent at its regular monthly meeting scheduled for May 27. A call for name suggestions will be issued to the community this week.

Dr. Galaviz will retire after nearly 13 years of distinguished service, making him the longest-serving superintendent in the region.

“Serving as superintendent of this incredible district has been the honor of my life,” Dr. Galaviz said. “This community embraced me and my family from the moment we arrived. Canutillo has become our home, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to lead and grow alongside our students, educators, and families.”

Since assuming the role in May 2013, Dr. Galaviz has overseen a period of historic transformation and growth in Canutillo ISD. Among the major milestones achieved during his tenure:

• Canutillo ISD earned three consecutive A ratings from the Texas Education Agency, the only district in the El Paso region to receive this distinction.
   
• Northwest Early College High School was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
   
• Canutillo ISD was recognized as the Best Small School District in Texas by the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards—the first and only El Paso-area district to earn this honor.
   
• The District launched the region’s first public Montessori program, promoting a student-centered approach to early education.
   
• Two innovative middle school programs were established: the STEAM Academy at Canutillo Middle School and the Public Service Academies at Alderete Middle School, offering specialized pathways in science, technology, and public service careers.
   
• Dr. Galaviz successfully guided the passage of the 2024 Bond, a voter-approved initiative that will modernize facilities and prepare the district for future student growth.

“None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the hard work and vision of our teachers, staff, principals, and the families who support us,” Galaviz said. “Together, we built something special. Canutillo ISD has become a model for what’s possible when a community commits itself to equity, excellence, and innovation in education.”

Dr. Galaviz also acknowledged the broader challenges facing public education across Texas—including underfunding, political pressure, and the need for continued support for educators.

“Public education is at a critical crossroads,” he said. “Now, more than ever, we need our communities to remain engaged and united in support of public schools. Our educators and students deserve our full backing, and I encourage everyone to stay involved, stay informed, and continue advocating for what’s best for all children.”

He emphasized that while he is retiring from his position, he is not leaving Canutillo.

“I may be retiring from my role, but I’m not leaving Canutillo,” he said. “I live here, I raised my family here, and I remain committed to supporting this district and its success however I can. I am Puro Canuto!”