Doug Williams Signs Off As Superintendent, But His Fight for Texas Education Continues Doug Williams Signs Off As Superintendent, But His Fight for Texas Education Continues

Over 600 members of the Sunnyvale community gathered to honor Superintendent Doug Williams’ retirement on April 22 in the SHS Gym.

Sunnyvale ISD and the entire Town of Sunnyvale are truly grateful for the leadership of Doug Williams. His vision for Sunnyvale’s future launched our small, elite K-8 school district into the forefront of educational excellence in Texas in 2007. SISD is now one of the leading K-12 public school districts in the state.

-BradCravens,SISDBoardPresident

Local dignitaries from SISD Board President and Mayor Saji George to U.S. Representative Lance Gooden (a Sunnyvale resident) spoke on behalf of Mr. Williams’ accomplishments during his 16 years at the helm of SISD. Current and former students shared memories about their favorite Raider.

But when it came time for Mr. Williams to speak, his continued commitment to this community and Texas public education was evident:

“I may be retiring from full-time duty as superintendent from Sunnyvale, but I consider this change to be a re-purposing in my service to education and this community,” Williams said.

A long-time and outspoken advocate for Texas’ educators and students, Mr. Williams plans to continue his work in Austin as a public education champion. In the last several years, he has served as the Legislative Chair, Vice President and the President of the Texas Association of School Administrators. Mr. Williams has advocated for school finance reform and for local accountability for school districts. He was also named the Region 10 Superintendent of the Year for 2022.

Under Williams’ leadership, SISD has experienced the most significant changes in its history, including passing several elections and the construction of new campuses.

Williams joined Sunnyvale ISD in 2007, after the town narrowly passed a bond for Sunnyvale High School. After working to gain support among parents and other residents, Williams, the Board of Trustees and the administrative team unified the community. The team successfully passed three bond packages between 2007 and 2018. Williams managed the construction of three new campuses, athletic facilities, an agriculture studies barn and a much-needed auditorium. He led the district to a successful Tax Ratification Election in 2019 and a successful Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election this past November.

and Teaching Scholarship

The Sunnyvale Education Foundation rebranded a scholarship in honor of Doug and Kris Williams, whose careers have served the students and teachers of SISD. To date, more than $60,000 has been donated to the endowed fund.

The SHS Auditorium will bear Mr. Williams’ name, as a permanent reminder of his legacy at SISD. The Board of Trustees bestowed this honor on Mr. Williams in recognition of his efforts to bring the auditorium to Sunnyvale in 2019.

TASA

Full re-opening of SISD after COVID-19 with Rowdy’s Reunion ; Served as TASA president; SISD fine arts presentation at TASA/TASB conference