Gadsden ISD board names interim superintendent
SANTA TERESA, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The Gadsden Independent School District is officially moving in a new direction after accepting Superintendent Travis Dempsey's resignation.
At a meeting tonight, the district's Board of Trustees named Nubia Tarazona interim superintendent. Tarazona is the district's director of language equity and arts. The board also agreed to put Dempsey on administrative leave. His resignation will officially take effect on January 1, 2026.
Dempsey told ABC-7 it was his time to step away. He says his departure is a bittersweet moment, leaving his post after eight years.
Dempsey says he feels that he left the district in a better position than how he found it.
Tarazona spoke with ABC-7 after the board meeting. She said she was caught off guard by her new appointment, but is excited for the next step.
"I'm still kind of in shock, but I'm just really honored to serve my community, my kids, and my parents and continue the great work that we do in Gadsden," Tarazona told ABC-7.
Three of the Gadsden ISD board members are up for election on November 4, 2025. Board member Arlean Murillo, who represents District 2, is running for reelection against Corina Medrano. District 4 board member Priscilla Guerrero is running for reelection and facing challenger Rogelio Maldonado, Jr. District 5 board member Laura Salazar-Flores is running unopposed.
