ɫ��������һ����������

Dr. Marcelo Cavazos started his teaching career as an English teacher in the Mission Consolidated ISD in 1990. In 1992, he moved to McAllen ISD where he taught English and government. He was named the secondary language arts supervisor for Mercedes ISD in 1993 and became Associate Adviser for San Benito Consolidated ISD in 1995. Cavazos went to work for the Texas Education Agency Department of School Finance and Support in 1998.

He joined the ɫ��������һ���������� in 1999 as associate superintendent for instruction and served as interim deputy superintendent for seven months before being named deputy superintendent in February 2009. He has previously served as a lecturer for the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Cavazos served as interim superintendent for six months before being named superintendent Dec. 6, 2012. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Texas-Pan American and a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

Under Cavazos’ leadership, ɫ��������һ���������� developed 13 specialized academies focused on STEM, leadership development, early college education, fine arts, dual language and more. He spearheaded three strategic plans, one Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE) and two bond measures totaling $1.6 billion. Through the bond measures, the district built new state-of-the-art facilities for career and technical education, visual and performing arts, and athletics.

Cavazos is known by those who work with him as a humble and servant leader who seeks no public praise. His vision, determination, dedication and love for others is simply unparalleled.

Cavazos retired as superintendent of ɫ��������һ���������� in 2023.

The ɫ��������һ���������� Board of Trustees approved re-naming the Center for Visual and Performing Arts as the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts and unveiled the new name at Cavazos’ retirement celebration.

“This facility is available for students at any of our schools, but it’s also open for the community to enjoy professional art exhibits, theater shows and performances here in the concert hall,” said Melody Fowler, board president. “It has transcended the ɫ��������һ����������. It is a facility for all, and that is what you represent – equity and access for all. Because of that, the Board of Trustees is honored to announce that we will rename this facility the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts in honor of your transformational leadership and the legacy you so boldly created as superintendent of the ɫ��������һ����������.”

The CVPA opened in the fall of 2020 and is the centerpiece for the district’s art programs. It’s a comprehensive fine arts facility designed for the purpose of showcasing amazing student performers and artists. Unlike many standalone performance spaces, the facility also features fully functioning classroom spaces for advanced art, dance and music courses. The building was funded by the 2014 Bond.

“The district has poured so much love into making sure our students are successful,” Cavazos said. “To play a part in that means so much to me. This facility is outstanding, and I’m honored to be linked to it.”