Campaign Phone
8322526387
Gabriel F. Gonzales II is a classroom educator with real daily experience working with students, families, and curriculum. He holds a degree in Business and Human Resources and is completing a master’s degree in History. His background in both education and the private sector gives him practical experience in leadership, accountability, and problem-solving. As a community member who believes in strong public schools, he wants to ensure decisions reflect the realities teachers and students face e
Student safety must remain a top priority and requires a balanced approach focused on prevention, preparedness, and support. The district should continue strengthening campus security measures such as controlled access, trained security personnel, and regular safety drills. Just as important is investing in mental health resources, counselors, and early intervention programs so students feel supported before problems escalate.
Strong communication between parents, teachers, and administrators is also essential. Teachers should feel empowered to report concerns and know they will be taken seriously. Additionally, partnerships with local law enforcement and community organizations can help provide proactive safety education and crisis response coordination.
Safety also includes creating positive school climates where students feel connected and respected. When students feel supported academically and emotionally, campuses become safer. My goal would be to support policies that protect
Strong financial stewardship begins with transparency, accountability, and prioritizing what directly impacts student learning. I believe district funding decisions should focus first on classroom needs, teacher support, and programs that improve student outcomes.
We must also ensure responsible budgeting by regularly reviewing spending, identifying inefficiencies, and making data-informed decisions. Supporting and retaining high-quality teachers should remain a priority, as teacher stability directly impacts student success.
In addition, the district should continue pursuing grants, partnerships, and innovative programs that expand opportunities without overburdening taxpayers. Fiscal responsibility means balancing long-term planning with immediate student needs.
As someone with a background in business and education, I understand the importance of managing resources wisely while keeping the focus on student achievement. Every dollar should reflect our commitment to educational exc
Two of the biggest challenges facing many school districts today are teacher retention and meeting diverse student academic needs. Supporting and retaining strong teachers is essential because consistency in the classroom directly impacts student success. We must ensure teachers feel supported, respected, and provided with the tools they need to succeed.
Another challenge is addressing learning gaps while preparing students for college, careers, and technical opportunities. This requires strong curriculum support, intervention programs, and opportunities for career and technical education alongside traditional academic pathways.
To address these challenges, I would advocate for listening to educators, using data to guide academic support, and ensuring policies reflect classroom realities. Strong collaboration between families, teachers, and leadership is key.
As an educator, I believe solutions should always start with one question: how does this decision impact students? Keeping th
I bring 26 years of leadership experience, currently serving as Director of the External Relations Office at NASA Johnson Space Center, where I oversee a team of 100 professionals and a portfolio of work including communications, STEM education, legislative affairs, and university collaboration. My nine years on the Board, including six in executive roles, provide the deep governance experience necessary to navigate complex budgetary and policy challenges without losing sight of student needs.
CCISD must continue to prioritize student safety through secure facilities and structured safety protocols. I advocate for maintaining our School Resource Officers and counselors at all levels that exceed state mandates. By investing in both facility hardening and social-emotional support, we foster an environment where students can learn.
As a long-standing member of the district’s Safety and Security Committee, I am proud of my record of asking thoughtful questions and insisting our safety initiatives and financial commitments meet the intended results. My professional background has taught me that we must continually review the implementation of these policies—moving past simple 'check-the-box' approvals to ensure every dollar spent results in safer campus and district facilities.
Managing a school district’s budget requires a balance of internal efficiency and external engagement. Internally, I advocate for a data-driven approach that challenges budget assumptions through rigorous program reviews and updated demographic forecasting. By prioritizing student instruction over administrative overhead and launching innovative enrollment-generating programs like Clear Tech virtual school, the board is committed to making local, fiscally-sound decisions.
Local efficiency cannot fully offset a state funding formula that hasn't kept pace with inflation or the escalating costs of safety and special education. I believe it is critical for CCISD to work collaboratively with neighboring districts to ensure our state representatives understand the direct impact of funding gaps on our 39,000 students. My goal is to ensure more of our community's tax dollars remain in CCISD so we can continue to offer students choice and remain committed to providing a world class education.
The top challenges are stagnant state funding and attraction/retention of high quality educators. Since 2019, our enrollment has steadily decreased, which, combined with a relatively flat state allotment, creates significant budgetary pressure. Solutions include pursuing district initiatives like the new Clear Tech K-9 virtual school, open enrollment, and expanded career technical education (CTE) to attract and retain students. We must advocate for a funding formula that reflects the escalating costs of education and maintains our community’s high expectations of public education.
While our employee retention rates remain strong, we must prioritize attracting, developing, and retaining the best talent. Leveraging paths for increased compensation through programs like the Teacher Incentive Allotment and National Board Certification demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning and offer increased compensation for recognized teachers that continues to make CCISD a best place to work.
