Marfa ISD has selected former Cleveland ISD Superintendent Stephen McCanless as the lone finalist for superintendent.
During a special called meeting Saturday, July 11, the Marfa ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved McCanless as the district’s lone finalist to become its next superintendent.
Under Texas law, the board must observe a mandatory 21-day waiting period before officially hiring McCanless as superintendent. Barring any changes, trustees may take final action to approve his contract after the waiting period has expired.
McCanless brings more than 30 years of experience in public education and is recognized for his emphasis on improving instruction, supporting educators and creating safe learning environments.
Most recently, he served as superintendent of Cleveland ISD, where he led one of the fastest-growing school districts in the Houston area. During his tenure, the district added between 1,000 and 2,000 students annually while completing a major bond program that included three new campuses, a new administration complex and a South District Service Center.
He also helped establish Cleveland ISD’s Apprentice Teacher Program, designed to recruit and develop future educators while addressing the statewide teacher shortage.
Beyond his district leadership, McCanless has served in several statewide education roles. He is a member of the Texas Education Agency’s conservator and monitor pool, serves on the Region 16 TCSS Advisory Panel, sits on the Region 4 Education Service Center Board of Directors and is a member of the Board of Directors for Resilience Leadership Academy in Conroe.
Throughout his career, McCanless has emphasized that every child can succeed when given the proper support.
“Every student can learn, it is our responsibility as educators to provide them with that path and support them in those endeavors,” McCanless said.
A graduate of Channelview ISD, McCanless grew up in a family of 10 children and credits his parents with teaching him the importance of building relationships and caring for others.
“Every day, everything, every decision, only through him, our Father,” he said.
Following the board’s action, McCanless said he is eager to become part of the Marfa community.
“The excitement I have about joining Marfa ISD and becoming a Shorthorn is a true blessing,” McCanless said. “To not only be in a part of Texas I have loved for most of my life, but to now be a part of the best little district in Texas with the most amazing students, staff and parents motivates me to give Marfa ISD my best! Shorthorns, fasten your seatbelts, it’s about to get exciting.”
McCanless and his wife, Phyllis, a retired EC-4 teacher, have been married for 29 years. They have four children, seven grandchildren and are expecting their first great-grandchild. The couple has made Cleveland their home in recent years.
Mr. McCanless is one of the most intelligent, knowledgeable, and equitable leaders I have ever had the privilege of working with. He believes that every person in the district matters, and he treats each individual with respect and dignity.
He is approachable and accessible. If you have a concern, he will listen. As a true servant leader, he understands that strong relationships are the foundation of a successful organization. He believes that when genuine relationships are built, trust grows, and meaningful problem-solving can begin.
The community, staff, and students genuinely feel valued because of his leadership.
Good luck to you and Mrs. McCanless. You will both be greatly missed, and we wish you nothing but happiness and success in your next chapter.
Education demands strength, wisdom, and resilience—qualities Mr. McCanless consistently demonstrates.
Marfa, you have gained an exceptional leader committed to students, staff, and the community.
Every community has individuals who believe they have all the answers. Criticism is part of leadership, but great leaders stay focused on what is best for children rather than being distracted by the noise. Mr. McCanless has always remained committed to doing what is right, even when it wasn’t easy.
We miss his leadership, stability, humor, and humility. Every person
in the district and community knew he was only a phone call away. We will miss Mrs. McCanless too. She was an advocate for us.
One thing you can count on with Mr. McCanless is integrity. He knows the law, follows the law, and expects the same from everyone else. He leads with fairness, consistency, and accountability—not favoritism. His decisions are based on what is right, what is legal, and what is in the best interest of students, staff, and the community. In today’s educational environment, those qualities are invaluable.
I’ll be honest—I wasn’t always a fan of Mr. McCanless. We didn’t agree on everything, and there were times I left work frustrated. But looking back, I believe he was doing what he thought was best for the district. Leadership isn’t about making everyone happy, and I can respect that. I wish him and Marfa the very best.
Marfa is getting someone who will show up, work hard, and give the job everything he’s got. I truly wish Mr. and Mrs. McCanless nothing but the very best on this new adventure.
The people who know him best know his heart. He cares about students, supports his staff, and believes strong relationships build strong schools.
Most folks don’t know this, but Mr. McCanless had to fire me years ago. I wasn’t happy about it, but I knew why. We still talk every now and then. That tells me all I need to know about the man. Mr. McCanless don’t play favorites. He’ll hold you responsible if you do something wrong, but he’ll treat you right. That’s why I’ve always respected him, and I wish him the best in Marfa. I hate to see him and Mrs. McCanless leave the community. They are like family.
Congratulations! You and West Texas! You’ve been talking about it since you were the Principal of the high school. Personally, I hated it and have no desire to return. It really makes me sad to see you and Phyllis leave. Y’all have been in our lives for a long time. You’re our friends and part of this community. I really hope y’all do a great job in Marfa, but I hope you return to Cleveland.ðŸ˜
Mr. McCanless you were a GOOD leader. You treated the teachers with respect. You supported us. The last year has been so difficult. There were days I just couldn’t take the new leadership. They treated us like we were disposables. I reached out to Mrs. McCanless many mornings through messenger. She encouraged me and reminded me I was a good teacher. She told me to focus on the students because that’s what was important. I spent my whole career in Cleveland, but this year, I had to leave. So many people have left. It’s just not the same. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck in Marfa.