Superintendent
Phone: 972-843-6000
Email: tonya.knowlton@communityisd.org
Degrees/Certifications:
Associates: Kilgore College
Bachelors: East Texas Baptist University
Masters: Stephen F. Austin State University
Doctorate: Lamar University
Superintendent Certification: UT-Tyler
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Dr. Tonya Knowlton
Dr. Tonya Knowlton became the Superintendent of Schools for Community ISD on August 9, 2021. Knowlton has more than two decades of experience in education, including as a teacher, principal, adjunct professor, executive director, other central office positions, and as a superintendent.
As the Superintendent of Brave Nation, Dr. Knowlton has overseen significant growth within the District, with over 100 new staff and over 800 new students joining Community ISD since her first day in August 2021.
The District will also undergo significant growth in facilities under her tenure with the opening of Roderick Elementary in August 2022 and the expected additions of elementary schools in 2023 and 2024, a new middle school in 2024, and other future developments included in the May 2022 bond proposal.
Before coming to Community ISD, Dr. Knowlton served as the superintendent of Lexington ISD in Central Texas, between Austin and College Station. Before becoming the Superintendent of Lexington ISD in 2017, she was in East Texas, where she spent the majority of her education career.
Dr. Knowlton considers herself a student-centered leader. She keeps the students as the focus for all of her decisions, and she strives to create the best environment possible for students and staff. She is excited about the community, the staff and the students and the successes of Community ISD. She has a goal of being transparent and collaborative at CISD, and she is excited about working with everyone to make Brave Nation the best that it can be. She encourages input and involvement by all stakeholders, and strives to be approachable and receptive to everyone in the community. Dr. Knowlton has adopted a philosophy based on the Japanese business term, Kaizen, which means continual growth and improvement, and she strives every day to be better than the day before.
Dr. Knowlton is married to her high school sweetheart, Chris, and they have two beautiful daughters. Chris is a registered nurse. Her oldest daughter, Kaylee, is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, and she is employed by the Bracewell Law Firm in Dallas. She is married to Taylor Henson, and they welcomed their first baby, Henlee, in August 2021. Dr. Knowlton's youngest daughter, Bree, is a registered nurse in the emergency department of Texas Children’s Hospital in Dallas. She is married to Jesse Raibourn, and they live in Dallas. Dr. Knowlton is so proud of both of her daughters and their husbands for their successes and accomplishments.
Dr. Knowlton and Chris live in Community ISD, and they are looking forward to getting to know the people of Lavon, Copeville, Nevada, and Josephine. Dr. Knowlton considers it an honor to serve in this district.
