Gonzalez Elementary School, named for popular bus driver Mariano Gonzalez, opened in the
Fall of 1986. BISD honored Gonzalez with a school bearing his name because of nearly 30 years of devoted service transporting students to and from school and special events. Neida Ruth Soto served as the first principal for the school located at 4350 Coffeport Road. Gonzalez opened at the same time as Morningside Elementary. Both schools were hailed for the bright interior color scheme which was believed to enhance students’ awareness through visual stimulation.