This week centered on mid-year data analysis, instructional recalibration, leadership development, and continued accountability alignment as we move into the final stretch before state assessments.

Monday began at Cockrell Hill Elementary with a Mid-Year i-Ready Data Action Planning session alongside our Instructional Partners and Commit Partnership. The focus was K–2 literacy growth, analyzing BOY-to-MOY progress, and refining next instructional moves using updated dashboards and shared planning tools. Later that morning, we met with Prairie View A&M University to explore counseling and administrative certification pathways for DeSoto ISD staff, strengthening our grow-your-own leadership pipeline. The afternoon included a leadership check-in with Dr. Rodgers and continued artifact collection at the high school related to an ongoing employee matter.

Tuesday was dedicated to completing investigative follow-ups at the high school, including staff interviews and statement collection, followed by a Level I grievance hearing prior to the evening Board meeting.

Wednesday afternoon, principals convened for our February Instructional Leadership meeting, which focused on state accountability updates, TELPAS readiness, Standards Mastery implementation, and mid-year CIP recalibration. The session reinforced urgency around ESF Lever 5.3—data-driven instruction—and the STAAR countdown. The day concluded with a SPED follow-up discussion with Dr. Rodgers to ensure appropriate oversight of recent incidents.

Thursday morning was spent alongside our Region 10 coach and Principal Hicks conducting targeted teacher coaching in 5th grade math, emphasizing bite-sized feedback and instructional rigor. This was followed by a TIA calibration meeting with the RED Team to ensure alignment between observation practices and student outcomes. The day closed with a campus follow-up at McCowan Middle School regarding a parent concern to ensure timely resolution.

Friday was dedicated to districtwide professional development focused on i-Ready Standards Mastery and STAAR preparation, with campus PD observations conducted to ensure alignment and strong implementation.

Human Capital Management

Substitute Fill Rate:         62.8%

Resignations:                       0

Terminations:                       0

Substitute and New 

Hire Onboardings:                0

Grievances                           3

• Level III: Grievance Hearing scheduled February 17, 2026.  

  • • Termination  

• Level 1: Grievance hearing held. Hearing officer is working on response to provide to legal counsel for review.

• Level 1: Grievance officer assigned and grievance will be heard within the timeline.

Pending Investigations: 3

NAVEX Incident Reporting Summary:

02.09.2026

Student Safety

West Middle School

Report made that while students engaged in an argument, one student kicked another and the substitue allegedly made an instigating comment. Students began to fight.

02.09.2026

Student Safety

West Middle School

After the student's mother departed from the nurses clinic, the student exited the building through a side door. Student left campus without permission and was located by family member near the school.

02.09.2026

Student Safety

DeSoto High School

Incident reported that occured saturday following the parade ath the high school campus. Students were in the high school work out room alone and sustained an injury from the equipment. The student reported a coach was present, and left the students in the workout room.

02.12.2026

Student Safety

DeSoto High School

Student reported that while a staff member was on duty, they made a innappropiate comment that made her feel umcomfortable.

Additional:

Examination Preparation Session 

• PPR Session held Thursday, February 12, 2026 to support teachers that need to take the PPR assessment

Para to Teacher Cohort II Interest Meeting

• On February 13, 2026 the district hosted a Para to Teacher Cohort Interest meeting to begin recruiting for Cohort II through the Dallas College partnership.

Finance (CONSTRAINT 2)

District Revenues for FY26

 as of February 6, 2026

Maintenance & Operations General Fund (199)

Local Revenue (57XX): $24,844,330

State Revenue Available School Funds (5811): $1,641798

Foundation School Program (5812): $18,024,117

TRS On-Behalf (5831): $1,561,706

SHARS (5931): $0.00

Indirect Cost (5929-ID): $94,069

JROTC (5949): $80,995

Child Nutrition (240)

Local

Lunch Revenue (5751): $19,657

State

$15,755

Federal

School Breakfast Program (5921): $1,100,783

National Lunch Program (5922): $1,222,039

Federal Distributed by State (5939): $164,643

Debt Service (I&S) Fund (511)

Local Tax Collections (5711/12/18/19/42): $15,410,544

State Program Revenues  (5829): $6,461,941

Student & Staff Support Services

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• Athletics

  • Conducted research and analysis on police and security staffing ratios used by other school districts for athletic events.

  • Met with NCAA representatives to secure a district code, which is a critical step in ensuring our student-athletes are properly registered and able to maintain NCAA eligibility. 

  • Created a structured curriculum to launch an Assistant Coach-to-Head Coach Mentorship Program.

• Attendance

  • Planning for the upcoming CassiaK12 campaign.

  • Screening selective enrollment applications.

  • Planning meeting with Concentric about staff professional development.

  • Stronger Connections Team meeting.

  • Grant meeting Federal Programs Manager.

• Child Nutrition

  • Finalized and submitted the contract renewal form to TDA

  • Conducted cafeteria monitoring visits

  • Worked on courses Child Nutrition courses in Tasbo. 

• Health Services

  • Participated in a Emergency/EMS protocol meeting with committee

  • Finalized Professional Development presentation

  • Worked a care plan development for WMS student 

  • Participated in emergency/EMS protocol meeting with Dr. Neely to review final committee recommendations before going to legal 

• Parent Engagement

  • Attended Title I training at Region 10

  • Confirming participants for Parent University.

  • Planning meeting with district PTA.

• Student Support

  • Conducted a safety home visit for a McCowan student

  • EOP training with district security officers

  • Continued mid-year evaluations of security officers.

  • Assisted West administrators with a student that eloped after school.

Communications

This week, the DeSoto ISD Communications Department focused heavily on frontloading strategic communications in support of the district’s special called meeting related to organizational leadership changes. The team developed a comprehensive Board of Trustees communication toolkit designed to support clarity, consistency, and transparency in articulating the decision and transition details. While maintaining a posture of support and responsiveness, the team was informed that legal counsel would draft the core communications, which the department then finalized and distributed on behalf of the district.

In parallel, the team advanced proactive communications planning by frontloading content tied to upcoming calendar priorities, including staff development, Presidents’ Day, and student and alumni-focused spotlights. Continued rollout of content related to Board Appreciation Month, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and Black History Month remained a priority. The team also built the framework for new student and staff spotlight features, including content templates, distribution workflows, and a publishing calendar, with publication scheduled to begin next week.

To support the extension of the district’s Choice application window, the department executed a second wave of marketing, including expanded social media outreach, development of five targeted email marketing assets, and distribution of an extension announcement press release, among other supporting materials.

Additionally, the team facilitated two professional development trainings: one for campus and departmental communication liaisons focused on content development best practices and district standards, and one providing scoring training and orientation for members of the Hall of Honor Selection Committee.

The department also managed four significant Open Records Requests involving high-volume or sensitive subject matter. These include records related to the December 8, 2025 Board meeting; district strategic planning and Board goals; 2025 Bond expenditures and contracts; and a January 8, 2026 incident involving equipment failure at Cockrell Hill Elementary. Coordination is ongoing with IT, legal counsel, and relevant departments to ensure timely, compliant responses.

Finally, the Communications team continued developing updated materials supporting the superintendent-requested transition plan and managing ongoing media relations following the leadership change announcement, ensuring consistent messaging and timely response to inquiries.

Technology 

Technology Modernization Overview 

In alignment with DeSoto ISD’s commitment to digital transformation, we are implementing a comprehensive district-wide technology modernization strategy designed to: 

• Enhance learning experiences 

• Strengthen campus safety 

• Improve operational efficiency 

This multi-faceted initiative underscores our dedication to purposeful innovation and operational excellence. 

 Key Initiatives 

•  Interactive Screen Reenforment
  Starting Monday January 19th.  ProComputing will be reinforcing flat panel screens starting with Cockrell Hill. 

•  Student Laptop Upgrades
  With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, student laptops are being upgraded to Windows 11-compatible models—prioritizing high schools and aging inventory—to ensure optimal performance and access to modern learning tools. 

•  Campus Digital Signage
  Real-time communication is being enhanced through digital signage installations in front offices, cafeterias, libraries, and athletic facilities. Displays will deliver alerts, event schedules, and student recognition, centrally managed for consistency. 

•  Email Threat Intelligence
  Abnormal Security Weekly Update (Jan 26–Feb 1, 2026) 

Abnormal Security detected 818 attacks targeting DeSoto ISD, an increase of 255 compared to the previous week. Since integration, the platform has identified a total of 42,619 attacks, reflecting sustained and elevated threat activity across the district. While no critical incidents were escalated, the significant week‑over‑week rise underscores the need for continued vigilance and adherence to established cybersecurity practices.

•   Security Camera Enhancements
  Upgrades to high-definition IP cameras include night vision, motion detection, and law enforcement integration. AI-driven features under review include facial recognition, license plate readers, and behavioral analytics.

•  Document Management System Review
  Enterprise-grade solutions are being evaluated to centralize records and streamline collaboration. Key criteria include FERPA/HIPAA compliance, accessibility, and automation. Stakeholder input is being gathered through pilots and demonstrations. 

•  Bond-Funded Technology Projects (Pending Approval)
  Strategic upgrades include: 

• Chromebook and laptop deployment 

• AV systems for stadiums, gyms, and boardroom 

• Emergency notification and paging systems 

• Baseball field technology (sound and livestreaming) 

• Smart lockdown systems with AI threat detection 

• Expanded security camera coverage

Network Infrastructure Update
1. Network Stability & Performance

• Service Availability: Network operations remained 100% stable throughout this reporting period. No outages, service degradations, or unexpected downtimes were reported across the district.

• Proactive Monitoring: Real-time monitoring continues to show optimal performance across all primary backbones and site-to-site links.

2. Strategic Security Initiatives

• NAC (Network Access Control) Implementation: * Status: Currently in the configuration and setup phase.

• Objective: Implementing a NAC solution to strengthen district security. This system will manage and automate device authentication, ensuring that only authorized users and compliant devices can access the network.

• Current Focus: Defining access policies, profiling devices, and preparing the infrastructure for a phased rollout to improve endpoint visibility and overall network defense.

•  E-rate Assessment and Inventory 

A detailed Network Inventory and Assessment is actively underway, specifically focused on gathering the required data and documentation for the upcoming E-rate application process. This assessment involves a comprehensive review of all existing network infrastructure, hardware, and configurations to ensure compliance and accurate reporting for potential funding. 

•  Help Desk Performance 

• Tickets Submitted: 86

• Tickets Resolved: 85

• Average Resolution Time: 41.9 minutes

• Average Satisfaction Rating: 4.6/5

These results highlight our ongoing commitment to responsive support and continuous improvement, ensuring timely resolutions and consistently high customer satisfaction.

•  Phone System Update
  Following a review of modern phone systems to support unified communications, mobile integration, panic button features, and emergency notification compatibility, Zoom has been selected as the district’s new phone service provider. This decision was made after completing pilot programs and evaluating all recommendations. 

•  Infrastructure & Wireless
  A new wireless network, DISD-Internet SSID, is actively being tested to ensure full functionality, with the goal of replacing older SSIDs. 

Our Commitment 

Through strategic upgrades, cloud-based tools, and expanded digital access, DeSoto ISD is: 

• Empowering students with confidence 

• Equipping staff with efficient tools 

• Creating safe, innovative learning environments 

These efforts reflect our enduring values of integrity, determination, and excellence. 

There were a total of 155 work orders completed and there are still 63 work orders in progress in the system.

Maintenance

• • LG systems at Early College - Ongoing

  • Still working on generator at McCowan

  • Still working on awning for cooling tubs at Ben Dial

  • Removed carpet in band hall at West Middle School

  • Cat 5 at Woodridge & High School, per Technology

  • Working on A/C units at High School - Ongoing

    • Dampers stuck in fire mode

  • Replace water heater in 200 hallway at Cockrell Hill, part was ordered

  • Repaired ceiling and plumbing in baseball concession stand due to freezing weather

  • Waiting on parts and supplies to work on McCowan HVAC unit RT D-08

  • Installing electrical outlet covers in Baseball dugout

  • Relocated power in Building Trades at High School

Grounds

• • Mowing and weed eating around district

  • Will clean out storage behind Admin