“We’re here for the students”
At the district’s inaugural staff convocation Monday morning at the Shorthorn Gym, Superintendent Stephen McCanless emphasized the potential of Marfa ISD, introducing a new theme and motto: “Elevate Excellence,” and “Ride for the Brand” to the 50-plus crowd of teachers, administrators, support staff, board members and special community guests, including Chief of Police Gilberto Carrillo and Justice of the Peace Dina Jo Marquez.
“This goes back so many years ago, so many ranches have a brand,” McCanless said. “We have a big, purple ‘M.’ How do you advertise, how do you celebrate Marfa ISD?” he said as cheerleaders handed out purple “M” pins to everyone in the audience.
Amidst the revelry, McCanless stressed Marfa schools’ capabilities. Addressing the rather dispiriting elephant in the room, recent news that Marfa ISD has once again scored an overall D from the TEA — their fourth in a row –– McCanless said, “There’s no reason Marfa ISD cannot be an A district. There’s no reason. You’re small, you’re together, you have the ability of vertical alignment between grades and calibration of observations.”
“We have a D. That’s going to go up very, very quickly. You’re headed in the right direction,” he added later.
Despite the district’s shortfalls and recent rocky history, which the superintendent said would be addressed with staff in the coming weeks, there was a theme of celebration on Monday morning, inviting guests from the community to motivate and encourage district staff, and passing out swag bags and T-shirts as folks filed out of the bleachers to Kool & the Gang.
Nunez steps back in as board president
Later that evening, at Monday’s regular School Board meeting and the first for McCanless, the tone was necessarily more business-like but remained hopeful. Board members Phil Boyd, Teresa Nunez, Jay Foster, Jonathan Lockett, and Paul Salgado were in attendance.
Elementary Principal Roșie Martinez reported that as of Monday, the district had 163 students enrolled in elementary and junior high/high school campuses, including six pre-K-3 students in the district’s new early childhood education program. “We’re really excited and looking forward to that happening this school year,” she added about the program.
Athletic Director and Dean of Students Linda Ojeda noted that high school athletics is well underway, with football, cross-country and volleyball teams already working out and gearing up for the fall season –– Marfa varsity cross-country runner Alyssa Harden took home a third-place finish at the West of the Pecos cross-country meet in Pecos last weekend. Marfa football will have their first scrimmage on Saturday, August 22.
Also on the agenda was the restructuring of board organization following former President Phil Boyd’s resignation from the board last month. Boyd has continued to attend meetings, but after a little discussion, Foster nominated Nunez to reclaim the president title, stating that he had no desire to be president himself.
Nunez had presided over the Marfa ISD School Board from March 2022 until September 2025, when, amidst public pressure over recent arrests at the school, a series of tense School Board meetings ended in Nunez resigning the presidency and Boyd taking on the role.
“I’m willing to step back into the position. You know how things worked out. And we as a board know exactly what was followed, how everything was by the book, so I would like to step back in and help where I’m needed, yes,” Nunez said.
Foster pointed out that you have to serve on the board for at least a year to hold office. Otherwise, the two most recent additions to the board, Place 1 Lockett and Place 2 Salgado, would be tapped for the position.
The motion to assign Nunez as president passed unanimously.
There are still two vacancies to fill on the board, Place 5 and Place 4, and letters of interest may be submitted to the School Board for consideration.
A budget proposal for the upcoming school year was presented by CFO Rosela Rivera, but adoption of the budget was tabled until a special meeting to be held Thursday, August 27. The current proposed budget has a deficit of $635,685, despite an anticipated drop in recapture payments –– a financial mechanism established under the Texas Education Code in which property-wealthy school districts are required to share a portion of their local property tax revenue with the state –– from $1 million or more in recent years to approximately $400,000.
Students prepare for 2026-2027 school year
Outside the School Board meeting room Monday evening, the Marfa High School Class of 2027 participated in a beloved school tradition—“Seniors Paint the Streets,” with each student painting their names on Gonzales Street.
The campus will also host its annual “Meet the Teacher” event on Friday, August 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. Elementary, junior high and high school students are invited to come out with their families and meet their new teachers and see new classrooms before school begins Monday, August 24.
