Gerardo Soto was appointed Superintendent of Schools for Harlandale Independent School District on December 30, 2019. Mr. Soto brings over three decades of dedicated service to public education.
With 31 years in public education, Mr. Soto began his career as a paraprofessional aide. He then earned his Bachelor's degree and transitioned into teaching, covering History, World Geography, Economics, Government and Adaptive Physical Education. Following this, he earned his Master’s degree and obtained his administrative certification, advancing to the role of Vice Principal, Principal and later became the Executive Director of Operations. As the Executive Director of Operations, he played a pivotal role in shaping the district’s strategic direction and operational excellence. His tenure as Executive Director of Operations saw numerous successful initiatives and transformative projects that significantly advanced the district’s mission and objectives.
Under Superintendent Soto’s leadership, the district has achieved remarkable growth and innovation, setting new benchmarks in performance and community engagement. His vision and commitment have been instrumental in driving the district’s success and enhancing its reputation.
Superintendent Soto strongly believes in providing all students educational opportunities for all students to excel and thrive in their academic pursuits. With a deep belief in the transformative power of education, he is committed to supporting students in their academic journeys, whether they aspire to attend college or pursue alternative career paths.
Superintendent Soto was named Southside Superintendent of the Year 2022. He was selected and attended the Thompson Leadership Superintendent Academy for 2022.
His strategic foresight was pivotal in passing Bond 2022, a landmark $125 million initiative, the largest bond in the district’s history, which has significantly contributed to the district’s expansion and modernization. The district has achieved the highest financial accountability rating in the state, earning the “A-Superior Achievement” designation. Under his guidance, Harlandale ISD officially launched the “Educational Partners Program” in August 2024. This initiative successfully engaged degreed individuals to fill critical teaching positions, ensuring that every classroom is staffed with qualified professionals.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Superintendent Soto directed the Information Services Department to outfit our school buses with WiFi routers so that the buses could bring connectivity to the Harlandale community. The buses were strategically parked throughout the District to provide WiFi signal to the District’s student population. This decision brought the WiFi signal to the students when the students couldn’t come to the campus. Today, the same connectivity system continues to provide Internet access every time a student gets on a bus.
Building on bus WiFi, Mr. Soto extended Internet connection to the periphery of all District structures. Today, students can connect to the Internet from the Athletic fields, parking lots, and courtyards. The district was approached by the City of San Antonio to partner as one of the first area districts to offer cellular-like LTE Private Network connectivity service. For the first time, Harlandale could service the student in the home via a network of 12 LTE towers.
Under Superintendent Soto, the district introduced the Early Alerts mental health initiative, the first of its kind in Texas, and implemented a real-time attack monitoring system to safeguard against cyber threats. The installation of the Viking system at every school front door has further enhanced safety measures for students and staff. He has implemented targeted strategies to improve student attendance, recognizing its critical role in academic success.
Superintendent Soto’s commitment to infrastructure and community well-being is evident in numerous renovations and a series of significant improvements being worked on.
With the Bond 2022 initiative, here are few projects to include the renovation of the new Career and Technical Education Center located at the Carroll Bell Education Center, the $22 million-dollar renovation of Memorial Stadium, upgrades to Harlandale and McCollum High School auditoriums, a new ROTC building at McCollum high school. The baseball and softball field turfing, high school campus – all weather tracks, the district's multi-purpose gymnasium are projects being worked on, as well as, the beginning phase of the Tennis courts complex. He has also overseen the upkeep of HVAC systems and playground equipment, ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment.
Harlandale ISD, under Superintendent Soto’s leadership, has strengthened community engagement and student support through key partnerships with organizations like Community First, AVANCE, and the San Antonio Food Bank, to name a few. These collaborations have resulted in monthly mobile food pantries, parent education programs, and family-focused events. Mr. Soto has also prioritized staff development and educational excellence, securing TEA waivers to support teacher certification and implementing a new evaluation system for non-teaching staff. Additionally, the HISD Employee Fund (HEF) program supports scholarships for graduates who pursue higher education or technical training. Harlandale ISD, with Mr. Soto at the helm, has become the host of San Antonio’s largest community event, the “Cultural Arts Fair”.
Notable achievements during his tenure include the awarding of $1,650,003 in Teacher Incentive Allotment funds and the designation of 138 teachers in the Teacher Incentive Allotment program. Mr. Soto has expanded professional development opportunities across various departments and established partnerships with higher education institutions to enhance recruitment efforts.
Gerardo Soto holds a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sports science from St. Mary’s University, a Master’s of Science in Educational Administration from Texas A&M Kingsville and his Superintendent Certification from Texas A&M San Antonio. In addition to his professional achievements, Superintendent Soto represents Harlandale ISD serving on the board of UP Partnership. He is an active member of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA), Mexican American School Board Association (MASBA), National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (AAASCD), National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), South Texas Business Partnership, Texas Association of Latino Administrators (TALAS). His dedication to both his profession and community underscores his commitment to making a positive impact.
Superintendent Soto’s leadership continues to strengthen the bond between Harlandale ISD and its community, ensuring students have the support and opportunities they need to succeed in college, career, military, and work life.