Dr. Marc Faulkner, China Spring ISD (CSISD) Superintendent, has been named the Region 12 Superintendent of the Year and nominee for the Texas Superintendent of the Year. He has served as superintendent in China Spring ISD since 2012.
According to district leaders, Faulkner focuses on continually striving for improvement in CSISD. His actions and attitude focus on implementing systems, policies and practices that encourage his students, his faculty and his community to strive for excellence.
Faulkner has established and implemented several programs during his tenure as superintendent at CSISD, most notably the CILD, or Curriculum Innovation and Learning Design team. This small group of teachers and administrators from across the district meets regularly to focus on integrating technology and "out of the box" instructional methods into classrooms.
The CILD was implemented for Social Studies this year, with a plan to add one additional core content area to the program next year and eventually have teachers in all core content areas trained through the CILD program. Faulkner and his leadership team believe this program "will be instrumental in finding, training and keeping the very best teachers at China Spring ISD."
A Superintendent's Council was also created this year under Faulkner's leadership. He meets with a group of 16 high school students once a month to discuss issues, solutions and ideas to improve CSISD. The students are selected through an application process and represent a diverse sampling of the high school population.
"I really look forward to Superintendent Council meetings each month," says one ninth grade Superintendent Council representative. "I feel like Dr. Faulkner is interested in what we have to say and wants to make our school a better place for students. He has been very responsive to our ideas so far. It's awesome to know the voices of students are being heard."
Exceptional management during difficult times
Faulkner has overseen many facility improvements across the district. Due to rapid growth in China Spring, Faulkner successfully planned, introduced and passed a $15.3 million bond in 2013, allowing for expansions of the high school campus and the completion of maintenance items on other campuses. According to campus leadership, Faulkner seamlessly managed his day-to-day responsibilities as superintendent, as well as managing the bond projects, where each deadline was met on time and on budget thanks to his careful oversight and guidance.
Shortly after the passing of the bond, Faulkner needed to negotiate with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) over the CSISD administration building due to road expansion. He successfully secured a $1.1 million purchase of the old CSISD administration building and oversaw the construction of a new administration building.
In addition to the campus expansions and updates, Faulkner manages the district’s finances exceptionally well, according to Board President Rick Hines. Thanks to his fiduciary restraint when budgeting and spending, the district maintains a healthy fund balance.
“As board members, it makes our jobs much easier when Dr. Faulkner manages our finances well,” said Board President Rick Hines. “It is truly a blessing to have a superintendent who understands the finances of our district and makes prudent, wise decisions regarding spending and saving of taxpayer dollars.”
Faulkner has proven himself as an exceptional, selfless leader in CSISD, not only through his work in the district, but in the personal sacrifices he makes daily. His wife was diagnosed with cancer last fall, and while the Board has encouraged him to take as much time off as needed, Faulkner has been at work every day that she has not had a doctor’s appointment, ready to work and serve his district. The China Spring community has rallied around Faulkner and his family during this time, showing support and appreciation in a variety of ways.
“We are delighted to recognize Dr. Faulkner as one of the top superintendents in the great state of Texas,” said Dr. Jerry Maze, executive director of ESC Region 12. “He was chosen by a committee of school board members from around our region for his commitment to his district and his students. Our hats are off to Dr. Faulkner and to the CSISD board for nominating him.”
Faulkner is an active member of the Texas Association of School Administrators, the China Spring-Bosqueville Area Lions Club, the Texas Academy of Mathematics & Science, the Texas Association of Community Schools, the Equity Center, and Friends of Texas Public Schools.
He has several degrees and certifications, including a Master of Education from Tarleton State University and a Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. He served in many roles at CSISD prior to his tenure as superintendent, including assistant superintendent from 2009 - 2012, and principal of China Spring High School from 2004 - 2009. He has also served as an assistant principal at Robinson High School from 2001 - 2004, and as an agricultural science teacher at Marlin High School from 1997 - 2001. He was selected as the Region 12 Principal of the Year in 2007.
"I am honored and humbled to be selected as the 2017 Region 12 Superintendent of the Year,” Dr. Faulkner said. “I am a member of the most amazing group of educators in China Spring who truly do what is best for students. The board creates a vision for our district that focuses on our students and gives us the support and leadership needed to carry out that vision. I have been able to work with and learn from some of the brightest minds in education and I am thankful to all of the superintendents who helped shape me into the leader I am today. It's a great day to be a Cougar!"
Faulkner will serve as the Region 12 nominee for the 2017 Texas Superintendent of the Year award, presented by the Texas Association of School Boards. The state winner will be announced in September at the TASA/Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Convention.