The district’s current superintendent, Sara Bonser, informed PISD’s board of trustees Jan. 25 that she plans to retire at the end of the school year to spend more time with her family. The choice of Williams as the lone finalist for the position was approved unanimously by the board during a special called meeting Feb. 28.
"I cannot think of a higher honor than you entrusting me with the privilege of serving as your next superintendent," Williams said following the board's vote. "Thank you for your confidence and your trust in me and my leadership. I will work tirelessly to serve this community with the highest level of integrity [and a] commitment to ensure an exceptional education for all of the students of Plano ISD."
Williams has served in her current position since 2018. In that position, she has assisted the superintendent in providing leadership for the district’s various campuses, carried out strategic objectives and served as acting superintendent when needed, according to a district news release. She has 27 years of experience in education, including leadership roles in Garland ISD and Lubbock ISD before joining PISD, according to the release.
School districts are required by state law to wait 21 days after naming a lone finalist for superintendent positions before officially hiring them. According to a district news release, Williams is scheduled to assume the role of superintendent July 1.
“I like the work that [Bonser and Williams] have done together, and I like where Plano ISD is today [and] where it is headed in the future,” board President David Stolle said. “I'm looking forward to [Williams] continuing that work while also implementing her own vision. I'm confident we have the right person at the right time to take the reins and continue to pre-pandemic plans in response to the post-pandemic learning environment.”
Earlier this month, PISD took public feedback through its website on the kinds of attributes stakeholders would like to see in the district’s next superintendent. The board received more than 3,700 responses to that survey, according to a district news release.
Bonser said she was thankful to be able to transition leadership of the district to Wiilliams.
"With a deep understanding of continuous improvement and transformational leadership, Dr. Williams is uniquely positioned to successfully lead Plano ISD," Bonser said. "Her passion for putting student achievement first and foremost, coupled with her deep commitment in supporting staff in this work exemplifies her leadership style, which is student-focused and outcomes-driven."
