The Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees has named the lone finalist for the superintendent of schools at the regular board meeting on June 24, 2025. The board announced SISD Interim Superintendent James P. Vasquez as the lone finalist.
“I am honored to be named the finalist for the Socorro ISD superintendent position,” Vasquez said. “I have a long history in Socorro, and I am truly humbled and excited to assume the role of superintendent. I look forward to continue working collaboratively with our dedicated staff, students, and families to build upon our district’s legacy of excellence and continued success for all.”
The SISD Board of Trustees concluded the hiring process for the superintendent after conducting nine community listening meetings and a community survey to develop a profile of qualities the community was looking for in the next superintendent. The board worked in conjunction with the Texas Association of School Board (TASB) Executive Search Services to review applicants from the nationwide search and interviewed the top candidates who reflected the superintendent profile.
“Mr. Vasquez is certainly the right person to lead Socorro ISD as evident by our unanimous vote as a board,” said SISD Board President Michael Najera. “His qualifications as an experienced educator and administrator, dedicated member of the SISD community, along with his outstanding leadership of the district over the last year, made him an exceptional candidate for the position. I have no doubt that he will continue leading Team SISD with the same commitment and success that he has since he was named interim superintendent.
Vasquez has served as the Socorro ISD interim superintendent since April 2024. During his time as interim superintendent, Vasquez has worked with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) appointed conservators, who have been monitoring SISD since May 2024. Vasquez has led the district through some of its most challenging times in the district’s history, overcoming a $42 million budget deficit, working to restore a depleted fund balance, and addressing declining enrollment and decreasing attendance.
He has worked collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, administration and staff to chart a positive path for the district, improve the district’s financial situation, rebuild community trust, and mend employee morale. All the while, he has led the district to maintain its outstanding academic performance, with the 2025 STAAR/EOC preliminary results showing SISD students remaining at the top of the charts in the region and ahead of the state average.
“This is a wonderful step forward for Socorro ISD. Mr. Vasquez has been doing tremendous work to help the district overcome its challenges, move ahead with transparency and establish solid plans to get SISD back to being an innovative, superior school district,” said TEA lead conservator Dr. Michael Hinojosa. “He has collaborated with and inspired district administrators, campus and district staff. Mr. Vasquez understands the hard work and dedication it takes to lead a public school district, and I believe he is well-equipped to continue the positive momentum of the district.”
Vasquez joined SISD in October 2023 to serve as deputy superintendent overseeing district operations. Vasquez has 30 years of experience as an educator, beginning his career as a teacher in 1995 at Hueco Elementary in Socorro ISD.
He went on to become an instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal in SISD. Mr. Vasquez has been part of the Socorro ISD team for 21 of his 30 years in education. During his career, he also worked as a principal in El Paso ISD and a director and assistant superintendent in Ysleta ISD.
“It was critical for the Socorro ISD Board of Trustees and community to find the right fit to lead as their next superintendent. The TASB search was extensive and thorough, and we are happy to have assisted the Board in identifying the ideal candidate for the job,” said George Kazanas, TASB Executive Search and Field Services Officer. “The community spoke loud and clear about wanting a leader who is trustworthy, attentive, familiar with the community, and experienced in leading a district in instruction, operations, and finances. Mr. Vasquez fit the bill, and the Board agreed he was the best qualified for the job.”