The Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees finalized the process to formally appoint the new superintendent of schools at a regular school board meeting on Aug. 20, 2025. The board voted 7-0 to approve Interim Superintendent James Vasquez as the next superintendent for Socorro ISD.
“It is an incredible honor to officially serve as superintendent of the Socorro Independent School District. I am inspired by the passion, talent, and dedication of our teachers, staff, students, and families, and grateful to the Board of Trustees for their trust in me to lead our great district,” Vasquez said. “Over the last 18 months, we have achieved so much together, and we will continue to propel Socorro ISD forward. The next chapter is ours as we continue to write SISD’s legacy of success. I look forward to leading our great district with continued achievement and opportunity for students, staff and the community.”
Vasquez has been leading as the interim superintendent since April 2024. Over the last school year, Vasquez led Socorro ISD through challenging times, overcoming a $42 million budget deficit, working to restore a depleted fund balance, addressing declining enrollment and decreasing attendance, and rebuilding community trust and employee morale.
“We are pleased to be moving ahead with Mr. Vasquez as our next superintendent. Our unanimous vote to approve his contract solidifies our utmost confidence in his leadership and vision for Socorro ISD,” said SISD Board of Trustees President Michael Najera. “He will serve the district with true commitment and a relentless spirit for success. Mr. Vasquez has deep roots in the district, a love for this community and an excellent record as an educator and administrator – the characteristics that the community was seeking in our next superintendent.”
Under his leadership as interim superintendent, Socorro ISD has maintained outstanding academic performance, with the 2025 STAAR/EOC results showing SISD students remaining at the top of the charts in the
region, ahead of the state average, more A-rated campuses and the district being the largest district in the state to earn the postsecondary distinction designation. He remains dedicated to a continuation of greatness in SISD, as he focuses on more student and staff success and fiscal solvency for the district.
“We have an amazing team in Socorro ISD that works tirelessly and with courage to give our students and families the best education and service,” Vasquez said. “We have more work to do to ensure all students are succeeding in every aspect of their education, to build our fund reserve and strengthen our finances. We have had a great start since the first day of school, and I am eager to keep up that momentum throughout the year.”
Vasquez joined SISD in October 2023 to serve as deputy superintendent overseeing district operations. He 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. 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.