About Dr. Pape

Dr. Megan C. Pape (pronounced "poppy") started on July 14, 2025 as Superintendent of Schools in Royal Independent School District- a fast growth district with more than 3,400 students. She is the first female Superintendent and Hispanic Superintendent to serve in the district’s history. With over 17 years of experience in Texas public education, Dr. Pape has served in Texas public schools at all levels from the classroom to district-wide leadership. She has a proven track record of improving school system operational outcomes and improving student outcomes-with emphasis on special populations and students from diverse backgrounds.

Before her appointment at Royal ISD, Dr. Pape served as Superintendent of Snook ISD for three years, where she led significant improvements in academics, finance, and operations. Under her leadership, Snook ISD achieved an overall “B” (84) accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, with both the elementary (84) and secondary (88) campuses earning “B” ratings as well. She expanded Career and Technical Education programs, resulting in more than 90% of students graduating College, Career, or Military Ready (CCMR) and exceeding state and regional averages in industry-based certifications by over 20%. With a solid background in school finance, Dr. Pape successfully managed a $9.7 million dollar budget while navigating statewide fiscal challenges for Texas public schools. Her leadership resulted in balanced budgets for the past three consecutive years and a nearly 60% increase to the district’s fund balance-significantly improving the district’s financial health.  During her tenure, enrollment grew nearly 15%, major campus renovations were completed, and planning began for a future bond. Dr. Pape also launched Snook ISD’s first education foundation, reestablished a band program in more than 20 years, established the district’s first Guardian program for safety, and led the district to earn Teacher Incentive Allotment designation, resulting in additional and creative compensation for teachers.

During her first year as Superintendent of Royal ISD, Dr. Pape led a series of transformative initiatives that strengthened the district’s financial position, supported its rapid student growth, improved academic achievement, and advanced long-term strategic planning. In her first 120 days as Superintendent, she led the successful passage of a historic $356.6 million dollar bond package funding the construction of a new 3,000-student high school and the acquisition of land for future campuses. In her first nine months leading Royal ISD, she closed the budget deficit that ranged from $1.8 million to $5.2 million dollars in the previous three school years, plagued the district, and forced the district to take out a Tax Anticipation Note. Her strategic fiscal management restored the district’s financial stability, improved its overall financial health, and created opportunities to invest in employees through a more competitive compensation package- including salary increases, stipends focused on student outcomes, and a 66% increase in district contributions toward employee medical benefits. Additionally, in her first ten months leading Royal ISD, she led the successful passage of another historic bond- the second largest high school stadium bond ever approved in Texas history-a standalone, single proposition bond for the construction of a new stadium in the amount of $72 million dollars. Under her leadership, Royal ISD had the honor of hosting Leadership TASB this school year, teaching and training School Board Trustees from 32 districts across the state of Texas on school culture, fast-growth management, and strategic leadership practices.

A strong advocate for public education, Dr. Pape engages in policy and legislative efforts, most recently advocating for public school funding and accountability changes during the 89th Legislative Session and Special Session. Investing back into the public education profession is very important to Dr. Pape. She is an active member at the state level serving on the Fast-Growth School Coalition (FGSC) Executive Board as Secretary, Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (TALAS) Executive Board as Secretary, and the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Future-Ready Superintendent’s Leadership Network Design Team. She previously served as the Texas Council of Women School Executives (TCWSE) Region 6 Regional Representative (5 years), TASA Professional Learning Committee (2 years), and TASA Small Schools Network Design Team (2 years).

Dedicated to her own growth as a leader, Dr. Pape was selected and completed the prestigious Thompson Executive Leadership Institute (TELI) Superintendent Academy as a part of Cohort XXXII.  The Thompson Executive Leadership Institute is a nationally recognized professional development series designed to advance leadership training for school Superintendents with participants from Texas, surrounding states, including New Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, and Puerto Rico.  Most recently, Dr. Pape was selected to attend the Holdsworth Superintendent Leadership Program as a member of Cohort 5.

Originally from Northern California, Dr. Pape earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication and English from the University of California, Davis. She also holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Sam Houston State University, and a Doctorate in Professional Leadership from the University of Houston.

Dr. Pape regularly serves as a presenter at state leadership conferences and Texas public-education organization events speaking on a variety of topics about leading in the Superintendency. Dr. Pape’s professional passions include: strategic leadership and systems change, capacity building through professional development, supporting the whole child, and improving the student learner experience so that each student leaves their K-12 public school experience with a love of learning and committed to their own success.

When Dr. Pape is not pursuing her professional passions she enjoys spending her time with her family; she is the proud mom of 3 Royal ISD students.