A groundbreaking CTE initiative torpedoed by COVID has turned into a big win—and a massive new innovation campus—for Tomball ISD outside Houston. In February 2020, the district had finalized plans to open an academy of energy and international business at the headquarters of an oil company but the firm went bankrupt during the pandemic. Unwilling to admit defeat, Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora and the district bought the company’s vacant 70-acre complex and everything it contained for a deeply discounted $37.5 million, and are launching the Tomball Innovation Center.
The campus will now house Tomball ISD’s early college high school and CTE programs that cover aviation, cybersecurity and drone certification, among other subjects. The center will also house the district’s agriculture show barn, which will double as an arena for robotics competitions for the district that, since 2011, has more than doubled its enrollment to more than 22,000 students, says Salazar-Zamora, a 36-year education veteran who was previously superintendent of Kingsville ISD in her hometown.
She has also held cabinet-level positions including Spring ISD, Houston ISD, and Round Rock ISD.
“The community is ever-changing due to the fast growth,” says Zamora, who was Tomball ISD’s chief academic officer before being named superintendent in 2017. “However, the focus on quality education is at the forefront of the community and we believe that the schools are the main reason that many people move to our community,”
Tomball ISD blazes a trail
District Administration talked to Salazar-Zamora, one of Texas’ 2023 regional superintendents of the year, about the coming school year and how K12 is changing.
1. What are the things that are you most excited about that are happening in Tomball ISD? We are beginning our PTech program in allied health at Tomball Star Academy in partnership with LoneStar Tomball and HCA Tomball. We are expanding our CTE pathways, with further enrollment and utilization of the Tomball Innovation Center, which includes aviation, cybersecurity, law enforcement, legal services, drone certification, 911 call center and so many more. We are also proud of our first pre-K center is opening this fall, which will serve the north end of the district. This is our first stand-alone early childhood center for pre-K. We are working on designing and developing new campuses in the district funded through our Bond 2021, including our West Complex. There are many exciting things happening in the district to support our growth.
2. What achievements over the last year led to your being chosen as regional Superintendent of the Year? Tomball ISD continues to be a leading school district in student achievement across Texas. We have worked to facilitate the projects under Bond 2021 in a challenging time across the state through inflation, material challenges, and overall issues related to school funding. It is always our focus to work through the challenges while not negatively impacting the experiences that we provide students and that we are continually taking care of our staff. Maintaining the culture of “Team Tomball” has led us to our achievements.
I am exceptionally proud to serve the state of Texas as the only superintendent representative on the AASA, The School Superintendents Association’s executive committee, the Fast Growth School Coalition as incoming president, the Texas Association of School Administrators as president-elect, and the Texas Council of Women School Executives as vice president and a founding member as past president of the Texas Association of Latino School Administrators.
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3. What are the keys to your leadership philosophy and how do these contribute to your district’s success? My leadership philosophy is centered around decision-making that puts students first. As the world continues to rapidly change around us, it requires us to be progressive and innovative. I continually push my team to create strategies and initiatives that progress us into the future so that our students are ready. I believe in people and empower them to lead from their positions in order to meet the district’s vision. I am a very positive person and I am continually focused on making decisions, sometimes hard ones, that are best for students and staff within the district and then providing the support to the team to implement those decisions.
4. How has your role changed over the last few years? The job responsibilities of a superintendent haven’t necessarily changed but the environment in which superintendents complete the job responsibilities has definitely changed. There has been a heightened focus on public education and not always a positive focus. Navigating the decision-making process in a large district while public education is under such scrutiny has made things more challenging.
We have always focused on advocacy but it is more important than ever. Not only must we advocate at the state level for public ed, but we have to advocate within our own community so that stakeholders are aware of the truth and not negative rhetoric that may not be true. We hold steadfast to our focus on students and have been able to navigate the political environment, but it is more difficult than in the past.
5. What’s at the top of your district’s list of must-have-ASAP? Funding. The funding formula for public ed hasn’t changed in a number of years despite inflation and other financial challenges. Districts, including Tomball ISD, need additional funding in order to maintain the level of service that we currently offer and to maintain competitive salaries for staff. There are a number of mandates that the state requires that are unfunded and districts will continue to struggle until the financial formula is adjusted.
6. What are the biggest challenges your district is facing right now? Safety mandates. We are dedicated to the safety and security of our campuses and intend to comply with all of the state safety and security mandates. However, without additional funding, these mandates will be very challenging to meet.
7. Do you have a positive relationship with your school board? If so, what are the keys to collaborating effectively with them? I have a very productive partnership with the school board. Our team of eight has worked tirelessly to collaborate and focus on our shared vision. Tomball ISD is lucky to have a tenured board that understands the history of the district while embracing the future and where we are going. There is ongoing communication between myself and the members of the board.
