Cobre Superintendent Finalists Field Community Questions

Verenice Gutierrez and Carla Spaniel address district challenges and plans for improvement during public forum.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:00am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic school supply item repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the community's engagement with the superintendent selection process.The public forum allowed the Cobre community to directly engage with the superintendent finalists and assess their visions for the district's future.Silver City Today

The two finalists for the Cobre Consolidated School District superintendent position, Verenice Gutierrez and Carla Spaniel, answered questions from the community during a public forum on Thursday. The finalists discussed their approaches to improving public perception of the district, ensuring accountability across schools and administration, and handling sensitive issues involving family members. Both candidates presented themselves as "turnaround specialists" ready to tackle the district's challenges.

Why it matters

The selection of the next Cobre superintendent is a critical decision for the district, which has faced various challenges in recent years. The public forum allowed community members to directly engage with the finalists and assess their visions and qualifications for leading the district forward.

The details

During the forum, the finalists answered questions on topics such as educational philosophies, conducting investigations, closing achievement gaps, and communicating policies. Gutierrez emphasized the importance of building trust through consistency and transparency, while Spaniel focused on gathering data, developing strategic plans, and fostering a collaborative approach. Both candidates highlighted their experience working in rural and urban school districts.

  • The public forum was held on Thursday, April 11, 2026.
  • The Cobre Board of Education will hold a special meeting on April 16, 2026 to conduct final interviews and discuss a selection during executive session.
  • The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on April 20, 2026 at San Lorenzo Elementary School.

The players

Verenice Gutierrez

One of the two finalists for the Cobre superintendent position, Gutierrez has worked in the Gadsden Independent School District for eight years and describes herself as a "warm demander" who has high expectations for students.

Carla Spaniel

The other finalist for the Cobre superintendent position, Spaniel has worked in various school districts in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, including a 15-year stint in the Dallas Independent School District where she completed a superintendent internship.

Gabrielle Begay

The Cobre Board of Education vice president, who acted as the emcee for the public forum.

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What they’re saying

“I have worked in the Gadsden Independent School District for eight years, where I learned about working in a rural district. I have moved among multiple states since meeting my husband. I call myself a 'warm demander,' a person who loves students but has high expectations.”

— Verenice Gutierrez, Superintendent Finalist

“I have lived all over, including in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. I worked in the Dallas Independent School District for 15 years, where I did a superintendent internship. I have also worked in El Paso and Fort Worth, Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I always carry my data with me from past schools.”

— Carla Spaniel, Superintendent Finalist

What’s next

The Cobre Board of Education will hold a special meeting on April 16, 2026 to conduct final interviews with the two finalists and discuss a selection during executive session. The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on April 20, 2026 at San Lorenzo Elementary School, where they may announce the new superintendent.

The takeaway

The public forum provided an opportunity for the Cobre community to directly engage with the superintendent finalists and assess their qualifications and visions for the district. Both Gutierrez and Spaniel presented themselves as experienced educators ready to tackle the district's challenges, emphasizing the importance of building trust, fostering collaboration, and using data-driven approaches to drive improvement.