Biography

The Los Fresnos CISD Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Gonzalo Salazar as Superintendent of Schools in June of 2006.

With more than 20 years of experience in education, Salazar has a proven record of accomplishments that include working collaboratively with staff and the Board of Trustees towards increasing graduation rates and improving educational outcomes for students.

Prior to being named superintendent, Salazar was an administrator in the Los Fresnos CISD for more than five years. During that time, he served as assistant principal at Lopez-Riggins Elementary from 2000 to 2002, principal at Palmer-Laasko Elementary from 2002 to 2004, and principal at Olmito Elementary from August 2004 to December 2005 when he was named interim superintendent.

During Salazar’s tenure, the efforts of Los Fresnos CISD’s staff have been rewarded with student performance that has consistently surpassed state and regional averages. All 14 campuses have met state standards each year. High levels of student performance have placed Los Fresnos CISD among 26 districts in the state to receive the College Readiness distinction and the school district is one of only five districts in Texas to receive this distinction four consecutive years.

Salazar takes pride in working alongside exceptional campus leaders who he credits for student success and for building capacity in staff through content-specific professional development. He works collaboratively with the campus leadership to ensure that students participate in meaningful learning experiences that prepare them for post-secondary education and the workforce. Salazar believes that, as educators, we are called to be the LIGHT (Lead, Inspire, Grateful, Humble, Teachable) in the lives of students and, that by providing a quality educational experience, we can forge a brighter future for every child.

Salazar exercises servant leadership and since assuming the role of superintendent of the Los Fresnos CISD, he has worked with staff, parents and the community to ensure that all students graduate college- and career-ready. Since 2006, Salazar has worked alongside a competent leadership team and with the Board of Trustees to deliver on the District’s mission that is based on the Board’s adopted Goals, Core Beliefs, and Commitments. Through collaboration with staff, the District developed a safety and security plan, a technology plan, and a long-range plan for facilities. This planning prioritized the District’s infrastructure needs and led to a successful bond referendum in November 2006. The 2006 bond program included funding for two new elementary schools, a ninth grade campus and various facility upgrades.

Salazar serves as President of the Equity Center and as a Member of the Commissioner’s Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Cabinet of Superintendents. He has served as the Region One representative on the TASA Executive Committee and has been an active member of TASA for 16 years. During the 2017-18 school year, he was invited to serve as a member of the State Board of Education Long Range Planning Steering Committee where he worked with committee members to help develop a long-range plan for public education. He also serves on the UIL Legislative Council, Executive Board for RGV Lead and AMIkids Rio Grande Valley.

Salazar was raised in Brownsville. In 1996, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Spanish and a minor in Bilingual Education at The University of Texas at Brownsville. In 1999, he received a Master of Education degree with a concentration in Educational Administration at UTB. In 2011, The University of Texas at Brownsville honored him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 2018, Salazar received a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Salazar is married to Sandra America Salazar. The couple has three children – two who graduated from Los Fresnos High School in 2017 and 2019 and the youngest who attends Los Fresnos CISD schools.