SEPT. 22, 2026 — Dr. Marc Faulkner, superintendent of schools for China Spring ISD, announced during the regularly scheduled September Board meeting on Sept. 21 that he will retire at the end of the current 2026-27 school year.
Dr. Faulkner’s retirement announcement follows a 30-year career in education, including 14 and a half years as superintendent — all of which he has served at China Spring ISD.
Dr. Faulkner graduated from Tarleton State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Services and Development in 1997. He received a Master of Education in Administration from Tarleton State University and a Doctor of Education in Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University.
He began his career in 1997 as an agricultural science teacher at Marlin Independent School District. He soon gained administrative experience, serving as assistant principal at Robinson High School in 2001 and principal at China Spring High School in 2004. Faulkner was selected as assistant superintendent for China Spring ISD in 2009. After three and a half years, he was named the lone finalist for superintendent of schools in December 2012 and officially assumed the position in January 2013.
As superintendent of schools at China Spring ISD, Dr. Faulkner was named Region 12 Education Service Center Superintendent of the Year in 2017 and was named a finalist for Region 12 ESC Superintendent of the Year in 2024.
During his tenure, Dr. Faulkner has been instrumental in three successful bond projects for the district, providing sensible and functional facilities to support student learning. A $22 million bond project in 2007, a $15.3 million project in 2013 and a $59 million bond project in 2021 provided funding to expand and upgrade district facilities to support student growth. These projects included additions and renovations at the high school, construction of a new intermediate and elementary school, state-of-the-art career and technical education classrooms and upgraded athletic and band facilities.
More recently, in 2025, Dr. Faulkner led the district in successfully passing a voter-approval tax rate election, bringing an additional $2.1 million in funding to support daily operations and student programming across the district.
China Spring ISD has experienced consistent academic growth during Dr. Faulkner’s tenure, with the district’s overall accountability score improving nearly every year. Campuses have also earned distinctions and awards for growth and achievement among students across the district.
Academic growth has been matched by a strong commitment to responsible financial management. CSISD has earned an “A” for Superior Achievement under the Texas School FIRST Financial Accountability Rating System for 22 of the 23 years under his leadership. The rating is the state’s highest designation and demonstrates the quality of CSISD’s financial management and reporting systems over more than two decades.
Dr. Faulkner has also demonstrated a commitment to building strong relationships with parents and community members through the creation of Champions for China Spring ISD, a community advocacy program. Now in its third cohort, Champions for CSISD welcomes community members, parents and educators to hear from district administration about the complex issues facing CSISD and public schools across the state. The program has been recognized by the Texas Association of School Boards in its Toolkit to Champion Public Education publication, which is provided to every school board member in Texas.
Dr. Faulkner’s family has been part of the China Spring community since 2004. His late wife, Amy Faulkner, served as an English teacher at China Spring High School, and both of their children graduated from China Spring ISD.
He is a member of the Texas Association of School Administrators. He has served as an officer in the China Spring Lions Club and currently serves on the China Spring Cares Board and China Spring Education Foundation Board.
“Dr. Faulkner has faithfully served China Spring ISD as superintendent for the past 14 years, and the strength of our district today speaks volumes about his leadership. We are incredibly proud to be one of the outstanding school districts in our state, and that kind of success does not happen by accident. It has truly been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside Dr. Faulkner. I have seen firsthand his commitment, loyalty, integrity, professionalism, and genuine dedication to our students, staff, families and community.
“Through tremendous growth, difficult decisions, challenges, and countless successes, his commitment to China Spring ISD has never wavered. His steady leadership and influence are woven into so much of what our district has become. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank Dr. Faulkner for 14 years of dedicated leadership and service. I am grateful for all he has given to China Spring ISD and proud to have served alongside him,” said Jeff Bradburn, China Spring ISD Board of Trustees president.
Dr. Faulkner will serve as superintendent of schools for the remainder of the 2026-27 school year. The China Spring ISD Board of Trustees is currently developing a plan to search for China Spring ISD’s next superintendent of schools.