Gonzales, BISD almost ‘Texan of the Year'
Brownsville Independent School District Superintendent Hector Gonzales has been caught in an apparent power struggle within the school board, but his accomplishments have not gone unnoticed up north.
Gonzales received yet another recognition when The Dallas Morning News editorial board last week selected him and the schools he leads as the second place finalists for the Texan of the Year, ahead of energy impresario T. Boone Pickens, First Lady Laura Bush and Texas A&M President Elsa A. Murano, to name some. First place went to Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins.
The board's criteria were based on who has had an uncommon impact and exemplifies Texas traits of trailblazing, independence and staring down adversity. The board also considered the effect and influence on lives.
"I think it is a real tribute to the teachers, students, staff, parents and the whole community of Brownsville. It is a team effort, we can't do it by ourselves," Gonzales said Saturday.
As the editorial board sees it: "There are national titles. And then there are national titles. Some only come after years of focus, steady progress and overcoming adversity. That's why Brownsville schools Superintendent Hector Gonzales and the South Texas district's 49,000 students and 3,300 teachers exemplify our vision as a finalist."
BISD this year also won the nation's most coveted prize in education: the Broad Prize for Urban Education, the editorial board pointed out. The prize included a $1 million award, which will provide scholarships to members of this year's graduating classes.
The editorial board noted that BISD schools didn't get to the top without outperforming other Texas districts with students from similar backgrounds and closing math and reading achievement gaps between its Hispanic enrollment and Texas students overall.
"We take our hats off to Mr. Gonzales and his school community for this achievement, which came against competition from 100 urban districts nationwide," the board said. "The rest of the state has reason to cheer this award, too. The honor shows that students can learn no matter their circumstances."
Gonzales said that he is very proud to be a part of BISD and to be its superintendent.
Rumors are rampant that a BISD board majority is about to oust Gonzales, even though he and the school district continue to be honored with educational awards. Gonzales has been the subject of board monthly evaluations. Some members of the community believe the evaluations are tantamount to harassment.
