Teaching & Learning (CONSTRAINT 1)

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:

• What big things are going on this week? 

• Provide curriculum updates/initiatives

• Where is this happening

• Who is involved (creators and beneficiaries

• Special Pops Update? 

• How is this impacting students and teachers?

• Why is this important to the board?

• What results do you anticipate for teachers and students

• How does this exemplify PRIDE

School Leadership (CONSTRAINT 3) 

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:

• What are leaders focused on this week to help ensure a positive school culture?

• Which leaders group is involved (principals/ assistant principals/ school leaders?)

• Provide summary of instructional rounds (what campus was visited, strengths and opportunities)

• How is this focus/work impacting students and teachers

• What results do you anticipate as a result of this work?

• Why is this important to the board?

• How does this exemplify PRIDE?

• PLEASE UPDATE THE CAMPUS EVENTS EACH WEEK

Finance (CONSTRAINT 2)

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:

• What are our balances (Fund and Cash)?

• What is our budget forecast?

• How does our spending align with our student-centered priorities?

• Why is this important to the board?

• How does this exemplify PRIDE

Human Capital Management

NAVEX Incident Reporting: 

10.29.2025

Employee Misconduct - Coach using inappropriate language around/towards students

Campus: DeSoto West MS

Status: In progress

Findings: Substantiated

Disciplinary action has been taken against the employee

10.28.2025

Student Safety/Employee Misconduct - student alleged employee "hit" student while teacher was on duty collecting trash.

Campus: McCowan MS

Status: Completed

Findings: Unsubstantiated

No disciplinary action was taken, as the findings were unsubstantiated and the video affirmed that the employee did not engage in any misconduct toward the student

10.27.2025

Staff member medical emergency where EMS came out to administer treatment.

DeSoto West MS

Completed

Substantiated

Employee had to be taken to hospital due to the medical emergency and staff was interviewed to better understand the medical emergency.

Student & Staff Support Services

• At the Beginning of the month: What are we focusing on in Character counts this month?

• How will this impact the students and staff? 

• Who is involved (give us a quote from a student and educator)

• Why is this important to the board? 

• How does this exemplify PRIDE?

• The board will be interested to know how we manage 1481 at the beginning of the year.  Add a section about that

Communications

This week, the DeSoto ISD Communications Department continued its work to elevate district storytelling, celebrate student and staff achievements, and strengthen engagement with families and the broader community.

The team provided comprehensive coverage of several major district events and milestones, including:

• The 150th milestone win of DeSoto High School Varsity Head Coach Claude Mathis and the volleyball team’s playoff advancements.
  
  

• Halftime Halloween-inspired performances by the DeSoto High School band.
  
  

• The All Pro Dads event, highlighting parent and family engagement.
  
  

• Districtwide STEM Carnival Night, the Moates Girls STEM Program, DeSoto West Reading Rodeo Night, and the DeSoto West COINS Showcase.
  
  

• TEA Visit Pre-Event and Post-Event coverage, showcasing district initiatives around student supports and campus wellness.
  
  

• The DHS Eagle Band Battle of the Bands, which highlighted student talent and community involvement.
  
  

Additionally, the department produced and shared communications regarding:

• Leadership appointments approved during Monday evening’s special called board meeting.
  
  

• Upcoming campaigns and observances including Board Appreciation Month, Thanksgiving content, and the Superintendent’s Toy Drive promotions.
  
  

• The conclusion of the Principal Spotlight series, celebrating campus leadership.
  
  

• The launch of the Hall of Honor Committee, which will guide the development of the district’s recognition program.
  
  

Operationally, the team is advancing internal communications systems by:

• Structuring time and training with campus and departmental communications liaisons.
  
  

• Developing a streamlined electronic workflow for event planning and approval processes to improve coordination and efficiency across the district.
  
  

The team also managed and resolved crisis communications related to a minor incident at McCowan Middle School (MMS) this week, ensuring timely and transparent communication with all stakeholders.

Finally, Chief Communications Officer Tiffanie Blackmon-Jones presented alongside Superintendent Dr. Usamah Rodgers at the Texas Council of Women Executives Conference in Fort Worth at Region 11, delivering the first of two presentations on strategic communications and community engagement supporting the district’s successful bond passage. The second presentation is scheduled for January at the TASA Midwinter Conference.

Overall, this week’s work reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to proactive communication, strategic storytelling, and building strong, informed connections across the DeSoto ISD community.

Technology 

Technology Modernization Overview 

In alignment with DeSoto ISD’s commitment to digital transformation, we are executing a district-wide technology modernization plan focused on: 

• Enhancing learning experiences 

• Strengthening campus safety 

• a operational efficiency 

This multi-pronged initiative reflects our dedication to purpose-driven innovation and operational excellence. 

Key Initiatives 

1. Microsoft Intune Deployment All district-owned devices are now managed via Microsoft Intune, enabling secure, cloud-based administration, app deployment, and full lifecycle oversight. 

2. 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 improved performance and access to modern learning tools. 

3. 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. 

4. Email Threat Intelligence Abnormal Security flagged 640 email-based attacks last week—a 12.7% increase. Since integration, 33,574 threats have been identified, averaging 91 per day. This upward trend underscores the importance of proactive cybersecurity. 

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

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

7. Bond-Funded Technology Projects Pending bond approval, strategic upgrades include: 

• Chromebook/laptop deployment 

• AV systems for stadiums, gyms, and boardroom 

• Emergency notification and paging systems 

• Baseball field tech (sound and livestreaming) 

• Smart lockdown systems with AI threat detection 

• Expanded security camera coverage 

8. Network Infrastructure Update A fiber disruption on Oct. 28 impacted five sites. Restoration was completed by Oct. 30 following vendor engagement and scheduled maintenance. Upgrades now deliver improved reliability and bandwidth. Currently developing a comprehensive plan to optimize switch configurations and refine network routing protocols. This strategy aims to strengthen security, reduce latency, and maximize bandwidth utilization. By proactively designing these improvements, we will ensure resilient connectivity, safeguard critical data, and support the district’s growing reliance on cloud-based applications and digital learning environments. 

9. Help Desk Performance October metrics: 

• 160 tickets submitted 

• 210 tickets resolved 

• Avg. resolution time: 44.6 minutes 

• Avg. satisfaction rating: 4.6/5 These results reflect our commitment to responsive support and continuous improvement. 

10. Phone System Evaluation Modern phone systems are under review to support unified communications, mobile integration, panic button features, and emergency notification compatibility. Pilot programs are complete; recommendations forthcoming. 

11. Abnormal Security Weekly Update (Oct 20–26, 2025) 

Abnormal Security detected 521 email-based attacks targeting DeSoto ISD over the past week, bringing the total number of attacks since integration to 35,111. This marks a slight increase of 10 attacks compared to the previous week. The trend indicates a marginal uptick in threat activity. 

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. 

Maintenance & Operations

• What work is going on this week?

• How are you managing the work with size of the team?

• What are the capital and operational needs of the district?

• What were the safety and security concerns this week?  

• How does this benefit schools?

• Why is this important to the board?

• How does this work exemplify PRIDE?