With a population of more than 61,000 students, Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos relishes his job and the school district's mission to help students articulate and achieve their dreams in The American Dream City.

"I'm living my American Dream and this has been an aspiration and dream for me to be a superintendent in a large school system," Cavazos said. "To me, it's the best job in the world."

Cavazos joined AISD in 1999 and was named superintendent in 2012. He was selected as the 2016 Superintendent of the Year for Texas by the Texas Association of School Boards.

"Winning Superintendent of the Year for Texas was a really a special time," Cavazos said. "This award validated the efforts of our entire staff and Board as we work to prepare our students for the college or career of their choice."

In addition to being superintendent of an award-winning school district, Cavazos is also extremely active throughout the Arlington community. He currently serves as president of the Texas School Alliance and is on the TASB Risk Management Fund Board, SafeHaven of Tarrant County Board, United Way of Tarrant County Board Executive Committee, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Board, River Legacy Foundation Board and the Arlington ISD Education Foundation Board.

Cavazos is excited about the progress being made on Arlington ISD's $663.1 million voter-approved bond package, the largest in the district's history. The bond was approved in 2014 and all projects are scheduled to be complete by 2020.

One of the key components of the bond package is the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center, a state-of-the-art facility offering programs in animation, architecture, automotive, biomedical science, broadcasting, cosmetology, construction, culinary/hospitality, engineering, entrepreneurship, Fire Academy, graphic design, health sciences, horticulture, information technology, law enforcement, photography, precision manufacturing and welding.

"One of our highlight projects is our Career and Technical Center," Cavazos said. "Students will have opportunities to have specialized learning and prepare for the workforce."

AISD will also build a new fine arts center and a district-wide athletics complex on property near Division and Collins, placing both facilities in the Arlington Entertainment District.

For district news, program/class information, bond updates and upcoming events, please visit www.aisd.net.

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