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Dr. Tonya Knowlton Enters Agreement with CISD Board for Leadership Transition

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonya Knowlton Announces Retirement

Brave Nation,

After five years of service to the Community Independent School District and 33 years in public education, Dr. Tonya Knowlton announced on Monday, April 20, 2026 that she will retire at the end of the 2026-27 school year.

“I have loved my time as a Brave, and been blessed to work with wonderful people at Community ISD,” said Dr. Knowlton. “Our teachers, leadership team, and school board deserve all the credit for working together as a team for the success of our students. I am proud of the work we have accomplished over the past five years. I believe new leadership and a new perspective will build on our legacy of success, and bring new ideas to the table.”

Following the retirement announcement, the Board of Trustees for Community ISD entered into an agreement with Dr. Knowlton for a transition of leadership.

This agreement will see the Board hire a search firm in Fall 2026 charged with recruiting the next leader of Brave Nation. Dr. Knowlton will remain Superintendent through the Fall 2026 semester, then transition to Superintendent Emeritus for the Spring 2027 semester, working alongside the next Superintendent until Dr. Knowlton’s retirement on June 30, 2027.

The Board and Dr. Knowlton are equally excited about this next step in the history of Community ISD, and both parties remain committed to the growth of the District and the betterment of its students, staff, and families.

The Board would like to thank Dr. Knowlton for her unwavering support and tireless efforts as Superintendent of Community ISD for the last five years. During that time, Community ISD has witnessed unprecedented growth and rapid demographic change, including a doubling in the size of the student population and almost tripling the amount of Brave Nation staff. Her leadership of CISD began during the COVID-19 recovery, when students were returning from remote instruction. Despite these challenges, the District continued to recruit fantastic staff, graduate students at a rate higher than the state average, keep campuses safe, and pass the fourth-largest bond in the State of Texas - all in Dr. Knowlton’s first year in Brave Nation.

“On behalf of the Board, we value the progress made in the district under Dr. Knowlton’s leadership. She has been a peerless advocate for Community ISD for the past five years, and helmed Brave Nation through seasons of unprecedented change and growth. We look forward to partnering with her during this time of transition, and we remain committed to providing the best leadership possible for this incredible school district as it continues to change and grow,” said Board President Jana Hunter.

Below are a few highlights and accomplishments from Dr. Knowlton’s time as the leader of our Tribe:

  1. 107% student population growth - 2,772 students in August 2022 to 5,758 in April 2026
  2. Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) approval for Community ISD, with 33 teachers designated in 2025-26.
  3. An increase of over $5,000 to the starting salary of a first-year CISD teacher since 2021
  4. Community High School Graduation rates over 95% for the Classes of 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, and a projected rate of over 95% for the Classes of 2025 and 2026. That percentage is 5% higher than the state average of 90%, and 8% higher than the national average.
  5. 100% CCMR rate in 2021, 2023, and 2024 graduating classes, 98% in 2022. The average CCMR rate in the State of Texas in 2024 was 82%.
  6. Over 50 Collin College Associates Degree graduates since 2021, with over 30 scheduled to achieve this goal this year
  7. 800+ professional certifications earned by Community High School students since 2021
  8. Helmed a 2022 bond election that brought voter approval for $596 million in construction and renovation of CISD campuses, a record amount for Community ISD and the fourth-largest bond passed in the State of Texas in that election cycle.
  9. The opening of new campuses and facilities:
    1. Roderick Elementary - August 2022
    2. Dodson Elementary - August 2023
    3. Ellis Elementary - August 2024
    4. Community Trails Middle School - August 2024
    5. Bob Bean Agriculture Facility - Anticipated June 2026
    6. Bus Parking Lot - Summer 2023, Phase 2 coming Fall 2026
  10. The renovation of campuses and facilities:
    1. Community High School - Phase 1 completed in October 2021, Phase 2 completing Fall 2027
    2. McClendon Elementary School - completed August 2024
    3. NeSmith Elementary School - completed August 2024
    4. Braves Center - completed Fall 2022
    5. Edge Middle School Storm Shelter and Classrooms - completing Fall 2027
    6. CISD Athletics Facility - completing Fall 2026
    7. Air Force JROTC - pending Air Force approval
  11. The planning and design of future campuses:
    1. Community Creek Middle School
    2. Elevon Elementary
    3. Riverfield Elementary
    4. Service Center
    5. New Admin Building
    6. Career & Technical Education (CTE) Expansion
  12. Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools for Roderick Elementary, McClendon Elementary, Dodson Elementary, and Ellis Elementary