The Region 16 Education Service Center named Canyon ISD Superintendent Dr. Darryl Flusche 2020 Superintendent of the Year. Flusche will represent the region in the Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) award program in August.

The SOTY award is sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and honors public school administrators for outstanding achievements and excellence. Every year, the Education Service Center for each region of the state accepts nominations for the award. Flusche said it was an honor to be nominated by the CISD Board of Trustees.

“It is important to me because it represents the strength of the Canyon ISD School Board and our team of leaders,” Flusche said. “I hope my work in the superintendent role is impactful in reaching a higher standard. It is important to me to try to keep the standard that exists all across our district. I hope this recognition serves as a positive reflection on Canyon ISD and the community.”

Region 16 consists of 62 school districts. Flusche said it was surprising and humbling to be named SOTY because of the quality leaders in the region.

“As we have looked to address our growth and the need for more classroom space, we had to involve our community–parents, businesses and citizens–in the planning process,” Flusche said. “My feeling is the school district belongs to the community. We worked really hard to engage the community in determining how to move forward with more schools. This collaborative process may have been a factor in the award selection.”

The selected superintendents from Texas’ 20 regions will be interviewed in August, where five finalists are chosen for the state SOTY award and announced by TASB.

“As far as procedures, the winner gives a brief acceptance speech to those attending the general session,” Flusche said. “If I happen to be chosen, I would view the state honor a lot like the regional SOTY honor. It is a heightened responsibility; I need to uphold the standard that accompanies this recognition. This is an honor that others look up to.”

Flusche said his motivation is to ensure the best learning opportunities for every student in the district and the challenges that come with that responsibility.

“Our vision in Canyon ISD is ‘Empowering Lifelong Success’ for our students,” Flusche said. “The values and priorities of the community hold an expectation that our graduates are prepared for their next step beyond our doors–I see this as non-negotiable. It is a responsibility for students who go through the CISD system to have an advantage over any other peer when securing college admission, entering a career area or joining the military.”

Flusche said one way he has impacted the district is by focusing on his passion of developing leaders.

“Canyon ISD has had incredible leaders in place long before I arrived,” Flusche said. “I have tried to build on the foundations from those who were here before me. As a growing district, we need more leaders as we open schools. Canyon ISD has good connections with Amarillo College, WTAMU, community leaders and businesses. We have tried to further those relationships in our strategic planning, bond development and address their future employment needs.”

Flusche said he is proud to be a part of a high-performing team as well as the work he puts into being superintendent.

“This award represents our team,” Flusche said. “Our accomplishments as a district resonate from the guidance from our Board of Trustees, the work of our cabinet leaders, our district support leaders and our campus principals. They perform their duties of governance in a way that represents the model of what a board should do. The support of our community, parents and staff is of utmost importance to our team and to me.”