Mission, Texas- The Garland Independent School District (ISD) Board of Trustees has named Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) superintendent Dr. Ricardo López its lone finalist for the vacant Garland ISD superintendent’s position. This begins a legally required 21-day waiting period before the Garland ISD Board of Trustees can take a final vote to hire Dr. López.
Dr. López held several meetings with district staff members today to break the news to the employees. “Mission has been a blessing to me and to my family, Dr. López said. “We have encountered the most giving people, where the core values such as Faith, Family, Love, and Support are the fabric of our community. I can honestly say I have met lifelong friends, people who have inspired me, and mentors, whom I hope will stay in contact with me for years to come. This decision has also been difficult for my family. While in Mission, my youngest daughter Alyssa has made true friends and has come out of her shell; my daughter Lauren has blossomed and looks forward to school every day (even on weekends); and my wife, Linda, has made lasting friendships and has always felt welcomed by all in our community. We thank everyone in Mission for making us feel at home, right from day one.”
“The probable departure of Dr. López is rough to take,” said Patricia Y. O’Caña-Olivarez, Mission CISD board president. “The district is in a better place now, due to his hard work and energy that he brought to the district. He has had a positive impact on the district, community, and our hearts.”
O’Caña-Olivarez also said no decisions regarding possible interim superintendents and a selection process will be made or discussed until after a final vote is made by the Garland ISD Board of Trustees. “Nothing is final until after that final vote, after the 21-day waiting period,” she said. “For us to take any actions now would be inappropriate. Until then, we will continue to work for the betterment of our students.”
Dr. López began his tenure as superintendent in Mission CISD in August of 2013. Since that time, he has led the district through improvements to academics and several facility improvement projects. Academic initiatives such as Read to Lead, Mission CISD Reads community literacy partnership, robotics, computer coding, and placing an instructional focus at an Advanced Placement program level for all grades, implementation of a dual-language program in elementary schools, and universal, full-day prekindergarten have been just a few of the district’s undertakings during his tenure.
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