Rio Grande City schools chief named Region One's top superintendent

RIO GRANDE CITY - Roel Gonzalez has been named Region One Education Service Center's 2008 superintendent of the year.

As the regional winner, the Rio Grande City schools leader is nominated for the statewide superintendent of the year award, which is sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards.

Gonzalez, 53, was chosen to represent Region One out of a group of five candidates, agency spokeswoman Annette Garcia said.

"We're very proud of Mr. Gonzalez and we hope his community shares in that," Garcia said.

Gonzalez said he was honored to receive this award, as well as the superintendent of the year award from the American Association of School Administrators last year. He's been the Rio Grande City schools chief for five years.

"It's just very nice for my colleagues to recognize (me)," Gonzalez said.

He said he sees himself as a cheerleader for his students, teachers and administrators. He spends most of his time visiting campuses throughout the school year to see how students can be served better.

"As school districts get bigger, as schools get bigger ... we forget students bring other things (to school). Not every home is a ‘Leave it to Beaver' type of home," he said.

Gonzalez said he's pleased that standardized test scores have improved in his district and that more students have been graduating high school over the past few years.

"I'm proud of our kids," Gonzalez said.

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Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.