A 30-year education veteran and interim superintendent has emerged as the finalist to the Socorro Independent School District (ISD) superintendent position in El Paso.
After conducting a nationwide search and holding nine community meetings, the Socorro ISD Board of Trustees has named James Vasquez as the lone finalist for the new superintendent of Socorro ISD.
Along with his background across several positions including teaching, instructional coaching, and principal, Vasquez has been overseeing district operations since 2023 as assistant superintendent. He later became interim superintendent in 2024 while Socorro ISD was under conservatorship of the Texas Education Agency. During this time, Vasquezhelped stabilize the district amid a $2 million deficit.
As superintendent, James Vasquez plans to lead Socorro ISD through continued financial recovery by finalizing budget cuts, restructuring district programs and pursuing funding strategies to stabilize operations. He will promote academic excellence by supporting strong test performance and encouraging student attendance through districtwide engagement campaigns.
Vasquez also intends to strengthen community trust by maintaining open communication and building on feedback gathered during recent outreach efforts. In partnership with the TEA, he will focus on long-term financial health and operational stability while guiding the district forward.
Socorro ISD is one of the largest school districts in West Texas. Serving El Paso County, the district educates tens of thousands of students along the U.S.-Mexico border. The strategic location brings together a binational culture, which influences strategic responses for bilingual education and immigration-related impacts on schools.
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