LCPS superintendent finalists meet with community

“Why are you the best fit for this district?”

That was the main question Thursday evening at a candidate forum for the three finalists vying for Superintendent of the Las Cruces Public Schools.

Dr. Gregory Ewing, Dr. Gregory Rodriguez, and Dr. Arsenio Romero are in Las Cruces for two days of interviews. A LCPS spokesperson said the three educators were selected from the initial group of 14 qualified applicants from across the country.

Earlier Thursday, The three finalists were interviewed by five community-based committees made up of students, teachers, administrators, and parents. The committees will provide feedback to the Board of Education.

Just before the forum, members of the Superintendent Search Advisory Committee also met with the finalists in a meet-n-greet event at Oñate High.

During the forum, the three educators gave a two-minute opening comment, followed by questions from the audience. About 75 people attended the forum.

ABC-7 spoke with the three following the event.

Dr. Ewing is the chief accountability and research officer for the Cobb County School District in Marietta, Georgia. Previously, he spent 10 years as the district’s curriculum and instruction supervisor.

Ewing is also an assistant professor at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, where he has taught for 20 years.

“I spent 16 years in a classroom as a teacher, I spent 14 years as an administrator, and complementally I spent 20 years at a university as an assistant professor,” said Dr. Ewing. He went on to say, “I think my experience, along with my education and credentials make me a nice fit for Las Cruces.”

Dr. Rodriguez is deputy superintendent for the Huntsville Independent School District in Huntsville, Texas. Rodriguez has also served as an assistant superintendent and director of secondary curriculum, instruction and accountability for the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District in Texas.

Dr. Rodriguez said he would make a good fit because of his readiness to fit into the Las Cruces community. “I speak spanish and I’m ready to integrate into the community”, Dr. Rodriguez told ABC-7.

As for Dr. Romero, he is no stranger to the City of the Crosses. Before serving as the assistant superintendent at the Roswell Independent School District, Romero worked for LCPS from 2001 to 2014 in several administrative positions.

He left LCPS for a position in the Roswell district, where he has served as executive director for school turnaround and assistant superintendent for assessment, accountability and technology before taking on his current position.

Dr. Romero said his history with the district is what makes him a good fit.

“I know where these kids come from. I know the families. It’s going to be an exciting time to come back home and be able to support this district as we move forward.”

The School Board will conducting its interviews with the finalists on Friday, Sept. 30.

During the month of October, the Board members will also visit the finalists’ home communities. A final selection is expected at the beginning of November.

Right now, the district is under the direction of Interim Superintendent Steven Sanchez.

He is also the head of a 62-member advisory committee formed to help the board select the new superintendent.

Former Superintendent Stan Rounds resigned in June with a full year left on his contract. In February, board members voted not to extend his contract.

Until then, Rounds had held the position since 2007.

The district still has not said what led to his decision, other than it accepted his resignation so Rounds could pursue other interests.