Salazar named Hays High School Principal

Staff Reports

Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright announced Monday that Kristina Salazar will serve as the new principal for Hays High School. At a meeting on Monday, the Hays CISD Board of Trustees approved the hiring decision.

Salazar is an accomplished educator with 30 years of experience in education. She has also been a Hays CISD community member, residing in Kyle for 14 years. Salazar replaces the long-time Hays High School principal, David Pierce, who was recently promoted in Hays CISD to a deputy academic officer position.  

For the past four years Salazar has served as the principal of W. Charles Akins Early College High School in Austin – largest Career and Technical Education (CTE) campus in Austin ISD with 2,550 students and 300 staff members. In 2019, she facilitated the addition of the Early College High School program at Akins that enables students to simultaneously earn their associate’s degrees along with their high school diplomas.  

“It’s my pleasure to welcome Kristina Salazar to the Hays CISD family,” said Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright. “She has the experience and talent to continue our traditions of excellence at Hays High School. I was impressed with her ability to build partnerships with teachers, parents, and students. Strong relationships and trust are the key ingredients in the pursuit of success.”

Salazar began her career as an English teacher at her alma mater in Lockhart ISD before continuing her career in Deer Park ISD, Klein ISD, Clear Creek ISD, New Braunfels ISD, and Austin ISD. Through the years she earned progressively more responsible leadership positions, including: instructional coach, department chair, and athletic coach at both the middle school and high school levels.  After 21 years in education, she moved into administration and has served as an assistant principal, academy director, and principal.  

“My vision is that every student should be known, valued, and inspired to be college, career, and life ready through the utilization of strong relationships and partnerships with students, teachers, parents, and the community,” said Salazar. “As a leader, I aspire to create an educational culture of collaborative learning and teamwork. As a Hays CISD community member, I am honored and blessed to be able to serve this distinguished community in this capacity.” 

Salazar holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing from St. Edward’s University in Austin and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Concordia University in Austin. In 2016, she was named a finalist in Austin ISD for the Assistant Principal of the Year award and has been an Austin ISD nominee for Principal of the Year for the last two years.