Superintendent - Dr. Toni Hicks

Dr. Toni Hicks has served as Superintendent of Jarrell Independent School District since November 2020. She joined Jarrell ISD from Liberty Hill ISD, where she served as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability. During her tenure in Liberty Hill, a rapidly growing district, she played a key role in a successful bond election, helped lead the district to earn a Texas Education Agency "A" rating, and spearheaded the development of a teacher-created curriculum that strengthened instructional practices across the district.

Since becoming superintendent of Jarrell ISD, Dr. Hicks has led the district through a period of unprecedented growth and transformation. Under her leadership, the community has successfully passed two bond elections, providing critical funding for new schools, expanded facilities, and infrastructure to support the district's rapidly growing student population. She also established the Jarrell ISD Police Department, enhancing campus safety through a dedicated, district-based law enforcement agency focused on protecting students, staff, and visitors. Her commitment to academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and strategic planning has positioned Jarrell ISD as one of the fastest-improving and most sought-after school districts in Central Texas.

Prior to joining Liberty Hill ISD, Dr. Hicks served the Round Rock community as both an assistant principal and principal in Round Rock ISD. During her time as a principal, she was recognized by The University of Texas as Mentor of the Year, and her campus earned recognition as a Best Public School by Texas Monthly and as one of the Top Three Public Schools in Central Texas.

A native Texan, Dr. Hicks earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University. She began her educational career in El Paso ISD as an English as a Second Language teacher before continuing her teaching career as a middle school educator in Leander ISD. While teaching full-time, she earned a Master of Education from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

With more than 30 years of experience in public education, Dr. Hicks is a visionary leader dedicated to student success, educator development, collaborative leadership, and continuous improvement. She has served on the Texas Teacher Mentoring Committee, providing recommendations to the Texas Legislature on effective teacher mentoring practices to recruit and retain high-quality educators. She is also a member of the Future-Ready Superintendent Leadership Network, collaborating with educational leaders from across the nation to promote innovative, student-centered learning environments.

Dr. Hicks earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy from The University of Texas at Austin. She is widely recognized for her commitment to building high-performing schools, cultivating strong community partnerships, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.