WACO — Waco ISD formally introduced and welcomed Dr. Melissa King Knowles as the district’s new deputy superintendent during the Jan. 20 board meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Spicer told trustees King Knowles has 22 years of experience as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and district leader and praised her record on academic improvement and leadership development. King Knowles addressed the board and said she was honored to join Waco ISD and emphasized equity, excellence and accountability.

Trustees, district staff and student presenters acknowledged King Knowles during the meeting. Board President Stephanie Korteweg and several board members publicly welcomed her and said they looked forward to working with her on district goals. King Knowles noted her doctoral research focused on leadership development and that her dissertation was selected to represent her university’s Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate repository; she said she will present at an upcoming statewide conference.

Also during the superintendent’s report, Dr. Spicer updated trustees on the attendance boundaries committee, saying staff, parents and community members have reviewed draft high school maps and that the committee meets again Feb. 6 before the district moves to public hearings on proposed boundary changes.

Dr. Spicer said structured campus visits have continued since the winter break; those visits include focus groups of students, staff and parents and will inform a report to the board in February. She told trustees the superintendent student advisory council provided feedback on schedules, food and block scheduling.

The new deputy superintendent and the attendance‑boundary work are part of the district’s broader planning ahead of future bond and campus adjustments, Dr. Spicer said.