Superintendent of Schools
Welcome to Rockdale ISD!
Rockdale ISD is steeped in pride and tradition with blue and gold seen throughout this community. Rockdale serves about of 1450 students at four campuses. With our commitment to students, we expect our graduates to leave Rockdale High prepared for their next step whether college or career. This journey begins as early as Pre K as each year builds upon the previous. We take our job to educate each and every student in RISD very seriously knowing that while we all come from different backgrounds, together we comprise the family known as the Rockdale Tigers. We are glad you have become part of our Rockdale ISD family.
Michael Watson Ed.D. Bio
Dr. Michael Watson was officially appointed Superintendent of Schools on March 9, 2026. He is a seasoned educator whose experience spans the classroom, campus leadership, and district administration. He previously served as Deputy Academic Officer in Hays Consolidated Independent School District, one of the fastest-growing districts in Central Texas. In this role, he supported campuses both academically and operationally while contributing to facilities planning, construction projects, and long-range growth initiatives aligned to instructional priorities. He served Hays CISD for 12 years.
During his tenure, Dr. Watson served as a campus principal and led his school to its first-ever “A” accountability rating through focused instructional leadership and system alignment. Prior to his time in Hays CISD, he served as an administrator in Gregory-Portland ISD and as a teacher and coach in Calallen ISD. He began his career in Alice ISD, where he taught and coached while simultaneously serving as a squad leader in the United States Army Reserves.
In addition to his accomplishments in education, Dr. Watson has a distinguished record of military service. He was awarded two Army Commendation Medals: one in recognition of exceptionally meritorious service during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, key U.S.-led campaigns in the Global War on Terror, and a second for exceptional achievement in support of missions to secure Camp Arifjan during wartime operations.
Having grown up in a rural farming community and spent much of his career in small- to mid-size districts, Dr. Watson brings a strong appreciation for the vital role schools play at the center of their communities and for the importance of maximizing resources while honoring local values.
Dr. Watson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, a Master of Science in Education Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.