Opportunities are the major challenge that rural school districts have to overcome, according to Michael Gonzalez, executive director, Rural Schools Innovation Zone.

WorkingNation sat down with Gonzalez at SXSW EDU 2023 in Austin.

Gonzalez says a rural school district is one with 1,200 students or less who are pre-K through 12. His organization collaborates with three districts including Brooks County ISD, Freer ISD, and Premont ISD.

“We really feel that collaboration is our next best step to providing vast opportunities to our kids that are afforded to suburban and other and urban school districts,” says Gonzalez.

He explains the districts’ superintendents and school boards act as an advisory council that help focus on workforce pathways for local students – including health science, career and technical education, STEM, and early childhood education.

Learn more about Rural Schools Innovation Zone.