COPPERAS COVE, Texas — At a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Copperas Cove ISD Board of Trustees named Dr. Brent Hawkins lone finalist for Superintendent of Schools.
Hawkins, who was unanimously selected by the Board, according to Copperas Cove ISD, has over 16 years of experience as a superintendent in the Texas public school system, having served as superintendent in Livingston ISD since June 2014, and other districts before that.
CCISD said Hawkins is the longest-tenured superintendent in Livingston's 100-year history, and has worked in Texas public schools for more than 32 years.
“I am not only honored but humbled to join Copperas Cove ISD,” Hawkins said in a statement. “My family and I look forward to making Copperas Cove our home. I am excited to work to ensure the standards of excellence set by this district are continued. I am dedicated to working as a team with our staff, parents and community to ensure that every student in our schools reaches their full potential and becomes the best version of themselves.”
CCISD said Hawkins worked to improve Livingston ISD in all facets during his time in the district, including improving campus performance, refinancing district debt to save taxpayers money and improving the district's salary and compensation plan.
Hawkins was reportedly nominated for Superintendent of the Year by the Livingston ISD Board of Trustees in 2024.
“Dr. Hawkins brings a wealth of experience, dedication and expertise to our district,” said Joan Manning, President of the CCISD Board of Trustees. “He projects a confident, but humble spirit and wants only the best for our district. I am personally excited that he will consider the district his ‘work family’ and understands there must be new, deep relationships forged to insure a successful district.”
“Dr. Hawkins impressed me with his comment that changing the lives of those we serve is important,” said Mike Wilburn, CCISD Board of Trustees Secretary. “He also said, ‘We need to be a family,’ and that attitude is important for our district.”
“Dr. Hawkins is a proven leader who will continue the excellence of CCISD and maintain our district as the premier district of choice in Central Texas,” said John Gallen, vice president of the CCISD Board of Trustees.
Prior to joining Livingston ISD, Dr. Hawkins was the Deputy Director for Administrative Services for the TEA’s Region 6 Education Service Center in Huntsville, said CCISD. He has also served as superintendent at Woden ISD and Diboll ISD, as well as serving at multiple levels in Leggett ISD, Shepherd ISD, Wells ISD and Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD.
State law requires a 21-day waiting period before the CCISD Board of Trustees can vote to officially hire Hawkins as the next superintendent, said the district. That meeting is currently scheduled for Jan. 9, 2025 at 2 p.m. in the Board Room at the CCISD Service & Training Center on South Main Street.
“I could not be more eager to meet and get to know everyone that makes Copperas Cove so special,” Hawkins said.