USD 480 Names Cano Assistant Superintendent

Liberal, KS – USD 480 is pleased to announce the hire of Ruben Cano as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education. Cano fills this position that has remained vacant for the past two school years.

“Mr. Cano will be working with our two middle schools and the high school in meeting our district goals and their school improvement goals,” said Dr. Todd Carter, USD 480 Superintendent.

Cano has been working in public education since 2003, serving in various teaching and administrative roles. Most recently, he served as a principal and Chief of High Schools at Council Bluffs Community School District in Council Bluffs, Iowa after 17 years in the Omaha Public School District in Omaha, Nebraska.

“Mr. Cano has over 10 years of experience as a middle school and high school principal in the Hispanic-serving schools of Omaha. His expertise and experience will provide great support for our three secondary schools moving forward,” Carter said.

Cano began his career in education as a high school social studies teacher before moving into administration; his entire professional career has been at the secondary level in school districts with similar demographics as USD 480.

“His previous experience at schools with similar demographics and situations will provide USD 480 with unique perspectives and approaches to challenges we are facing or will be facing in the near future,” Carter said. “He is coming on board as we begin a new accreditation cycle and strategic plan and we look forward to his input and leadership.”

Cano, a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, feels he can relate well to the students and families of USD 480 based on his prior experiences at previous school districts, but also based on the similarities he sees in the Liberal community and how and where he grew up.

“My parents struggled to make ends meet as my dad worked to support our family. Even though my parents only had a high school education, they encouraged and expected me to attend college,’’ Cano said. “The great thing about education is that it does not care what your parents do for a living or where you grew up, all it cares about is if you are willing to put in the work to be successful.”

After growing up in Southern New Mexico, Cano graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and then earned his Master’s degree in Secondary Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

“I think Ruben’s background, from his childhood to his professional career, will resonate with the Liberal community and the families we serve,” Carter said.

Cano believes setting measurable goals for himself and the secondary building administrators will be the key to the success of USD 480 students.

“My goals are to work with building administration to continue to review and refine a system of support that makes our curriculum accessible to all students,” Cano said.

Cano comes to USD 480 at the beginning of a new accreditation process and is looking forward to helping build and shape the district using his prior experiences; as well as, his understanding of secondary education within the vision and mission of USD 480.

“I believe in the mission and vision of USD 480 and I think my experience and background will help me be a contributing member to the district as we strive to meet the mission and vision the district has been built on,” Cano said.

Cano began as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education on July 5, 2022.