Dr. René Gutiérrez

Dr. René Gutiérrez serves as the Brownsville Independent School District (Brownsville ISD) Superintendent of Schools.

He attended schools in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, in Mexico, at an early age, and then immigrated to McAllen, Texas, where he graduated from McAllen High School in 1983. He earned an Associate of Applied Science from Texas Southmost College at Brownsville; a Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) from Pan American University at Brownsville; and a Master of Education from the University of Texas-Pan American at Edinburg. Dr. Gutiérrez received a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Texas-Pan American at Edinburg. His doctoral dissertation is entitled: “Factors Contributing to the Academic Achievement of Mexican-Origin Immigrant High School Students.”

As superintendent, he has implemented strategies and initiated programs aimed at strengthening all academic components of a school district. Among these was a Vision Academy of Excellence for drop-out students to enroll and graduate. He also initiated an annual Educator Technology Conference for teachers to implement innovative technology strategies in the classroom. Many of the steps taken have focused on addressing the academic needs of students who are economically disadvantaged as well as students for whom English is a second language. Dr. Gutiérrez championed a bond initiative of over $112 million to build new schools and upgrade older campuses in Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District (Edinburg CISD).

He has led two of the largest school districts in South Texas, Edinburg CISD and Brownsville ISD, to be “A” Rated Districts based on the new accountability system. Dr. Gutiérrez was named the South Texas – Region One Superintendent of the Year for 2012 for Edinburg CISD and 2023 Region One Superintendent of the Year for Brownsville ISD, while being recognized as one of the top five superintendents in Texas for 2012. He is a recipient of the Educational Leadership Award from the University Council for Educational Administration from UT-Pan American.

He serves as a member on the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Commissioner’s Cabinet and also the Executive Committee representing South Texas school districts. In addition, Dr. Gutiérrez is a member of the Texas Urban Council of Superintendents (TUC) and serves on the board of directors for South Texas Association of Schools (STAS).