A desire to serve people and take worries off their shoulders has led Sam Magallan to his new post as executive director of operations for Ector County ISD.
He arrived in Odessa from the same job in the Hobbs, N.M., Municipal Schools, which has 10,000 students. Magallan said it is the same scope of work, but it’s a little different in terms of process.
“When a worker comes through, they still need to get done and so it’s just about how you mobilize people here versus in a different district,” Magallan said.
ECISD is somewhat bigger than Hobbs with about 33,500 students. He also has worked at Midland ISD.
“The great thing about large districts like ECISD (and) MISD, is that there’s people in place. Instead of one painter, you have two painters. It’s one of those things the scope of work matches the people behind it,” Magallan said.
He was in Hobbs for a year, but he has been around the Odessa-Midland area for 18 years. He’s also worked in Greenwood ISD, Big Spring and Sanderson, so coming to Odessa is like coming home.
“I’m from Lamesa, Texas. There’s nowhere else, and this is my opinion … (you) can’t find beautiful sunsets and sunrises like you can out here. I think you just have to be from out here to appreciate those things,” Magallan said.
He started his bachelor’s degree at Angelo State University and finished his bachelor’s and master’s degree at University of Texas Permian Basin. Magallan has been a teacher, coach and building administrator through the years.
“I think that’s what gives me a unique perspective (about) things that we do in operations,” Magallan said.
When you’re a building principal, the campus is your house. Like any homeowner, you want the best products, the best roof and the best flooring.
“I always always take into consideration the world that they’re living in and and the urgency of the matter because I’ve lived those things … I think it’s a great bridge to use, to be able to know and say, hey, I’ve been there I get it. Here’s what I can do and here’s what I can’t do,” he said.
Sometimes you might need to explain that it’s a budgetary issue or the work that needs to be done. For example, if they are going to paint a building, it might be better to do it in the summer when the students aren’t there.
“I love every bit of school. My favorite year is this year. I like to have a good time where I’m at, like to learn the people, learn the culture, and see where I fit in to see if I can add value. This is y’alls culture right now, and I’m trying to see if I can even help in any capacity,” Magallan said.
”It’s important to me. Growing up in West Texas, growing up in Lamesa, you always heard about Ector County or Midland and we just couldn’t wait to get there,” he added.
He knew in junior high that he wanted to be a teacher. Magallan said he was able to do that because he had great connections through coaches who really invested in kids and took pride in what they did. This made a huge impression on him.
Through his experience in different buildings and different capacities, Magallan said he’s figured out that people are doing their best.
“They’re working hard and I don’t want them to worry about lights. I don’t want them to worry about if this functions or not. … I want them to be able to be in a facility that they’re proud of. That they can look at and go, that’s mine. That’s a goal. That’s something that’s in my heart that I want to be able to accomplish for every building principal, for every student that walks in the building. They should get the same experience. Every child should get the same experience walking into a building,” Magallan said.
He added that he has always loved the idea of being a servant.
“I have no aspirations of doing Dr. Muri’s job by any means. That man is so calm and cool. Just in the short time that I’ve been here, I’ve learned a lot … I am a support role type of person and that’s what I want to be,” Magallan said.
Dr. Muri is ECISD Superintendent Scott Muri.
The amount of support he has received at ECISD is “incredible.”
“It’s been awesome. I really appreciate the people that I work with. … I don’t feel like I work for Dr. Muri. I feel like I work with Dr. Muri. … That motivates me to want to get things off his plate for him not to worry about some things. The people that we have in our other departments, they’re incredible. I’m super-excited to be a part of this team and I want to be able to help in any way that I can. I’m open to their suggestions. I’m open to them and I’m listening for sure. They’ve been here … They know the do’s and don’ts, so why wouldn’t I listen?”
He and his wife, Amanda, have one son. Amanda is chief of federal programs at Region 18 Education Service Center and has extensive school district experience.
Anthony Sorola, associate superintendent over Athletics, Human Capital and Operations, is thrilled to have Magallan on board.
“I am pleased that ECISD identified an Executive Director of Operations with the extensive experience that Mr. Magallan has. He has served Texas school districts as a classroom teacher and campus administrator at both the elementary and secondary level. He also has experience as a central office administrator in district operations. We are confident that he will be an exemplary leader for ECISD and ensure that all students are served in facilities that are conducive to learning,” Sorola said.
