Flash report
The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education has confirmed seven applicants to participate in semi-finalist interviews in the search for a new superintendent. Candidates will be selected from a pool of 30 applicants who are ultimately eligible during a closed session of the Board of Directors on June 9 and administered by Dr. Karen M. Trujillo on Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17. You will be interviewed in a closed session at your facility. The school board may at any time expand the list to include eligible applicants at the semi-finalist stage.
The semi-finalists are Debra Elder, Monica Mesa, Fred Montalvo, Raul Peña, Giovanni Ponce, Cynthia Retana and Ignacio Ruiz.
Dr. Debra Elder I am currently the Interim Superintendent of Los Lunas Schools. She joined Los Her Lunas in her 2021 as Chief Academic Officer of Guidance, Responsibility and Innovation. Prior to joining Los Lunas, Elder led the Albuquerque Public School District’s Office of Innovation and School Choices. She holds bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist degrees from the University of New Mexico, and she holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Transformation and Leadership Program from the University of Southern California.
Monica Mesa I have been an educator for 31 years and currently serve as Vice Superintendent of East Elementary School in Mesa Public Schools, Arizona’s largest school district, overseeing 26 elementary schools. She has been an assistant principal, principal, chief coach and college lecturer. Mesa has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is currently pursuing her PhD at Northern Arizona University.
Dr. Fred Montalvo He is currently the Executive Director of Operations for Las Cruces Public Schools. Prior to joining LCPS, he was a teacher and coach at Mescalero Apache School and Hatch Valley Public Schools. His administrative experience includes Camino He served as Assistant Principal at Real Middle School and Mayfield High School, as well as being Principal at Picacho Middle School. Montalvo holds a Master’s and PhD in Educational Management. in curriculum and instruction.
Dr. Raul Peña I have been working as an educator for over 20 years. He has been a bilingual classroom teacher, middle school assistant principal, campus principal, and district leader. In 2018, Dr. Peña joined the Fort Worth (Texas) Independent School District as Principal and is currently Chief People Officer responsible for reimagining the district’s recruitment process. He earned his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and attended the Harvard National Institute of Urban Leaders.
Dr. Giovanni Ponce I am currently the Associate Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, where I have spent the last 20 years of my career. He was previously a middle and high school principal in the Houston area, and under his leadership, the campus has seen student progress. His teaching experience includes a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Honduras in Tegucigalpa, a Master’s degree in Educational Management and Supervision from the University of Houston, and a PhD in Public School Management from Texas A&M University.
Cynthia Retana She has spent her 27-year career with the Socorro Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, and the Ector County Independent School District, also in Texas. As Assistant Superintendent and Executive Director, she has spent years overseeing principals and campuses. Prior to that, she served as a principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, serving the community as a teacher, counselor, and assistant principal. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso, a Master’s degree in Education and Middle Management from the University of Texas at El Paso, and is currently a doctoral student at Texas A&M Commerce.
Ignacio Ruiz He is the Vice Superintendent of the Clark County School District in Nevada, the fifth largest school district in the nation. He has held several leadership positions, including assistant principal, principal, and trustee. Previously, Lewis held the position of Director of Language Acquisition for the Tucson Unified School District. He is a graduate of the ALAS (Latin Association of Administrators and Supervisors) National Academy of Supervisors and Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy.
After the first round of interviews on June 16 and 17, the board will announce candidates who will advance to the Superintendent’s Public Debate to be held at Organ Mountain High School on June 22 at 6:00 p.m. A handshake event will be held at OMHS Performing Arts Center. The Superintendent Public Forum is a moderated question and answer session with input and question recommendations from the Superintendent Search Committee, a volunteer group of students, parents, teachers, administrators and community members.
Final interviews are scheduled to take place behind closed doors on June 29 and 30, with finalists nominated at a public meeting as early as July 1.
