The Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees has approved an employment contract naming Dr. Timothy E. Cuff as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. The Board took action at its meeting on Friday, July 17, 2026, and Dr. Cuff will officially begin serving in his new role on Monday, July 20, 2026.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, it is my privilege to welcome Dr. Cuff as our next superintendent,” said Board President Carlos Elizondo. “Dr. Cuff’s career in public education began right here in Brownsville ISD in 1978, and he has devoted nearly three decades of service to the students of this community. He knows our campuses, our families, and our values, and this Board is confident that his leadership will keep students at the center of every decision as we build on our district’s tradition of excellence.”
Dr. Cuff brings more than four decades of experience in public education as a teacher, campus principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. He began his career in Brownsville ISD at Garza Elementary School in 1978, returned to the district in 2016, and has served BISD for nearly three decades across two tenures — most recently as principal of Dr. Americo Paredes Elementary School.
As Brownsville ISD’s Assistant Superintendent from 2018 to 2022, Dr. Cuff supervised 19 departments and supported 18 campus principals while overseeing districtwide instructional programs. During that time, the district expanded full-day pre-kindergarten for three-year-olds to 10 additional campuses and strengthened Career and Technical Education, including the growth of the district’s robotics program through partnerships that gave students access to industry-level equipment and real-world learning experiences. He also stepped in as interim principal of Pace Early College High School during a leadership transition while continuing his district-level responsibilities.
His tenure has included leadership through significant challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Cuff coordinated the procurement of instructional technology and personal protective equipment and worked with community partners and internet providers to keep students connected to learning, all while managing budget constraints with a focus on instructional continuity and community trust.
Dr. Cuff previously served as Superintendent of Schools for Caldwell ISD, where he worked closely with the Board of Trustees to develop and revise district policies, ensure fiscal accountability, and guide major district initiatives — including a bond program that expanded and improved facilities, addressed critical infrastructure needs, and enhanced campus security.
His earlier career includes service as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Tuloso-Midway ISD, with districtwide oversight of K–12 curriculum, state assessments, special education, and Title I programs, as well as principalships in Gregory-Portland ISD — where he helped plan and open a new school facility and built strong parental involvement programs — and Aransas County ISD (Rockport-Fulton), where he led the implementation of a full-day kindergarten program.
“I am deeply honored by the trust the Board has placed in me,” said Dr. Cuff. “My career began in Brownsville ISD, and it is the privilege of a lifetime to return to lead the district I love. I look forward to working alongside our teachers, staff, families, and community partners to build on BISD’s strengths and maintain a relentless focus on student achievement.”
Dr. Cuff holds a Doctorate in Administration from the University of Houston, a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Pan American University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Wisconsin.
The Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees extends its sincere appreciation to Interim Superintendent Dr. Alda T. Benavides for her dedicated leadership during this transition and looks forward to working with Dr. Cuff as the district continues fulfilling its vision of empowering students to become lifelong learners who are prepared to contribute to their community and succeed in a global society.
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