Marfa ISD names Stephen McCanless as finalist for superintendent

The Marfa Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6-0 on July 11, 2026, to name Stephen McCanless as the finalist for the district's superintendent position. Board Member Teresa Nunez moved the motion, and Board Vice President Jay Foster seconded it; the motion was recorded as carried by the six members present (Paul Salgado, Jonathan Lockett, Jay Foster, Philip Boyd, Ruben Martinez and Teresa Nunez).

The action followed a lengthy executive session that began at 8:03 AM and ran until 2:37 PM; the board cited authority to meet in closed session for candidate interviews and legal consultation under the Texas Government Code. The board certified public notice earlier in the meeting and opened a public forum where no visitors spoke. The minutes do not specify any next procedural steps for McCanless, such as a public interview, contract negotiation or effective start date.

The motion that passed was recorded in the minutes as: "Name Stephen McCanless as the Finalist for the Position of Superintendent for Marfa ISD." The minutes show approval and signatures dated July 20, 2026. No additional details about other applicants, finalist selection criteria, or subsequent board action appear in the public minutes provided.