Arlington ISD Gets Its Superintendent – At Least Temporarily

One minute Arlington ISD had a replacement for the retiring superintendent, Dr. Marcelo Cavazos; the next, it didn’t.

Unease set in when the lone finalist, Dr. Michelle Cavazos, first accepted the job and then decided to remain with GregoryPortland ISD, inking a five-year contract.

With the new school year fast approaching, Arlington ISD went to its bench strength, snagging the district’s chief academic officer, Dr. Steven Wurtz, an education veteran of 23 years and an AISD loyalist for a decade.

by Kenneth Perkins

the district’s strategic plans and priorities and, mainly, how Dr. Cavazos has been able to implement them.

“We know he is committed to delivering superior educational opportunities to our students,” Fowler said of Wurtz.

Wurtz’s educational trajectory started as a bilingual teacher in the Irving ISD, as assistant principal, and then as a principal in the Grand Prairie ISD. He would return to Irving as principal and division director of elementary schools before signing on about ten years ago with AISD as superintendent of elementary schools, supervising 26 schools and providing executive coaching to campus principals. A year later, he moved into the chief academic officer role.

His formal education is impressive. Undergraduate degree in Spanish from Brigham Young University and a Master’s of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Arlington Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Mangement Appointed

Wurtz’s imprint is already all over AISD, having had a strong hand in developing district curricula, setting academic standards, and working closely with faculty heads to ensure those standards are met.

AISD Board President Melody Fowler said in a press release how “pleased” the board is with the temporary hire, adding, “We’re confident he’ll provide steady leadership during this transitional period.”

Fowler said Wurtz’s tenure at AISD has given him a front-row seat to the origins of

He earned a doctorate from Dallas Baptist University in Educational Leadership and serves on the Urban Curriculum Council and the City of Arlington Mayor’s Education Coalition. Involvement and membership in several other educational alliances are too many to name.

According to AISD, Wurtz will fully take the reins on Sept. 1; Dr. Cavazos is expected to hang around in an advisory capacity until then.

“I’m honored to fill this role,” Wurtz said. “My main focus will be maintaining a high-quality learning experience, ensuring smooth operations, and fostering a positive environment for students and staff.”

Bret Stidham was appointed as the City of Arlington’s new fire chief and director of emergency management on June 22, 2023.

Stidham is a 30-year professional firefighter with Dallas Fire-Rescue where he has served as second-incommand since 2019.

“Chief Stidham stood out in a very robust selection process and everyone we spoke with who had the chance to work with him in the City of Dallas had nothing but glowing remarks about his leadership, skills and ability to collaborate,” City Manager Trey Yelverton said.

“I feel like my 30-year career has led me to this moment. There’s a lot going on in Arlington – it’s a destination city and a city on the grow,” said Stidham.

Stidham will begin leading Arlington’s 399-person Fire Department and 113-person 911 Dispatch Center on August 7th.