Biography
Dr. Gonzalo Salazar has been the Superintendent of Schools for Los Fresnos CISD since June 2006, bringing a wealth of educational experience and a commitment to excellence. Known for his collaborative leadership style, he has significantly improved graduation rates and educational outcomes across the district.
Dr. Salazar's career in public education spans 36 years, with 25 of those spent serving Los Fresnos CISD. He started his career at the Brownsville Independent School District in Child Nutrition Services and spent another four at San Benito CISD as a teacher. Prior to becoming superintendent, he spent served in various administrative roles within Los Fresnos CISD, including assistant principal at Lopez-Riggins Elementary, and principal at both Palmer Laakso Elementary and Olmito Elementary. His leadership has consistently led to student performance exceeding state and regional averages, earning Los Fresnos CISD the Texas Education Agency College Readiness distinction.
Dr. Salazar believes in the power of meaningful learning experiences. He collaborates closely with campus leaders to ensure staff receive targeted professional development, promoting innovation in teaching practices. He inspires a culture where educators are encouraged to lead and serve as role models, fostering growth in both students and colleagues.
Under his guidance and working with the Board of Trustees, the district has developed comprehensive safety, technology, and long-range facility plans, resulting in a successful bond referendum that funded new schools and infrastructure upgrades. His focus on innovation ensures the district remains at the forefront of educational practices while maintaining a strong commitment to community and student needs.
Dr. Gonzalo Salazar is the current Region One Superintendent of the Year recipient and is a finalist for the Texas Association of School Board’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year award. An active member of the educational community, Dr. Salazar is the past-president of the Texas Association of School Administrators (2022-2023). He also served in various leadership roles within TASA and is a TED ED Innovator Educator. Salazar is a fellow with the Broad Center at Yale School of Management and has contributed to the State Board of Education's Long Range Planning Steering Committee.
Dr. Salazar holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Spanish and minor in Bilingual Education, a Master’s in Educational Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. He is a Distinguished Alumnus of The University of Texas at Brownsville. Together, he and his wife, Sandra America Salazar, have three children. Two are graduates of Los Fresnos High School, while the other attends Los Fresnos CISD schools.