Menu
A Premier District
Leaders maintain momentum
Posted on 09/11/2019
This is the image for the news article titled Leaders maintain momentum
Student outcomes have been the primary focus of Canutillo ISD Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz since he arrived at the District in 2013. The results are clear in the accomplishments over the last year that could be considered one of the most memorable and accomplished seasons Canutillo ISD has ever experienced.

In August, Canutillo ISD became the only traditional school district in the El Paso region to earn back-to-back “A” ratings in accountability from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). For the second consecutive year, the District received an Exemplary Performance A-Rating with a grade of 91 in overall performance for the 2018-2019 school year. This makes Canutillo ISD the highest rated among districts in Region 19.

Last October, Northwest Early College High School earned a National Blue-Ribbon Award, and, once again, made the U.S. News & World Report's list of Best High Schools in the country. The District then made headlines by being selected as a finalist for the statewide 2019 H-E-B Excellence in Education award for the first time as an outstanding small district. CISD has National Board-Certified educators. And, three schools were named to the Educational Results Partnership Texas Star Honor Roll.

The CISD Board of Education has praised the results. At a special board meeting September 9, trustees voted 5-1 to extend Dr. Galaviz’ contract and included a 4% increase, which is equal to the raise that the Board approved for administrators earlier this year.

“The District has seen tremendous success under Dr. Galaviz’ leadership,” said CISD Board President Sergio Coronado. “He is a true educational leader who keeps true to his belief of always keeping students in the forefront. We’re privileged to have Superintendent Galaviz leading our district.”

Student accomplishments have kept the District moving forward. CISD gained its first UIL state champion in both academics and athletics. Student musicians performed at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. The District has a Project Lead the Way Distinguished School. With help from strategic partnerships, CISD expanded computer science education. The Class of 2019 earned more than $15.6 million in scholarships, grants, and financial aid, completed more than 6,800 college credit hours, and already earned 85 college associate degrees.

Canutillo ISD has been in a sound financial position. In September, the District received a top tier credit rating upgrade. Moody's Investors Service upgraded their credit rating to Aa3, from A1. The District improved its credit rating and is now among the best-rated school systems in the region. And, thanks to increased funding by the Texas Legislature, the school board approved a historic employee pay raise this year.

Dr. Galaviz has also maintained his dedication to the surrounding community. Canutillo area residents of all ages will now have greater access to integrated health care in their community with the new Canutillo Northwest Health Center in partnership with Project Vida. And, kids will soon have a new place to spend time after school and during the summer at the Canutillo Recreational Center.

“I am proud to serve this amazing community. Their unwavering support and dedication to the students are what makes this a special place,” Galaviz said. “I believe these actions represent a vote of confidence in our team’s vision, progress, and performance. I appreciate the hard work of our students, teachers, staff, parents, and trustees for making CISD a premier school district.”

Since 2013, Dr. Galaviz has also overseen the successful completion of $32 million in capital improvement projects, including the new Congressman Silvestre and Carolina Reyes Elementary School, the new Gymnasium and Fine Arts Center at Alderete Middle School, the new Auxiliary Gymnasium at Canutillo High School, and the new cafeteria at Northwest Early College High School. Canutillo High School and Canutillo Middle School achieved T-STEM Academy designations making the District one of only a few in the state of Texas to have a 6th-12th-grade T-STEM track. And, the newly formed Medical Academy at Alderete Middle School began preparing 6th-8th-grade students for success in the medical field of study.

Canutillo ISD is celebrating 60 years since its establishment in 1959.