Teaching & Learning (CONSTRAINT 1)

Twin Day at PD

Twin Day Professional Development was a great success! Staff members enthusiastically participated by pairing up in creative matching outfits, fostering teamwork and school spirit. The day also featured engaging learning sessions that strengthened collaboration and professional growth across the team. 

CCMR Bi Weekly Huddle 

Dr. Perry and I hosted our bi-weekly CCMR meeting with Dr. Darden to review key CCMR indicators and discuss progress toward our goals. We analyzed data from the CCMR Dashboard to identify trends and areas for improvement. The meeting provided valuable insights to guide our next steps in supporting student college, career, and military readiness. 

Let's Dig In 

“Let’s Dig In” Data Sessions begin next week as we analyze student mastery of standards based on our most recent Interim Assessment. While some standards had not yet been fully introduced, this assessment served as a valuable fall temperature check. The data will help guide instruction and identify focus areas for continued growth and support. 

 ELAR/Math Strategic Planning

An ELAR/Math Strategic Planning Session was hosted with DHS high school leaders to strengthen instructional support and alignment. The session focused on effective calendaring, observation and feedback practices, and strategies for teacher development. Leaders collaborated to refine plans that will enhance instructional quality and student outcomes. 

TEA Legislative Updates for School Counselors

Counseling team members attended this week’s TEA Legislative Updates for School Counselors. The session provided important information on recent policy changes and their impact on counseling programs. Attendees gained valuable insights to support compliance and enhance student services.

This week began with a continued focus on instructional leadership alignment and calibration across campuses. I began the week at West Middle School, where I worked alongside Principal Strickland to finalize the Problem of Practice for our Instructional Rounds. The focus was centered on student ownership of learning, specifically shifting classroom delivery from teacher-centered instruction toward structured academic discourse and increased student cognitive engagement. This work set the foundation for our Principal Leadership Collaboration Meeting, during which principals engaged in T-TESS calibration and discussion of aligned look-fors related to DOL clarity, questioning, and gradual release. The session allowed for shared reflection and reinforced consistent expectations across campuses.

Following the session, I conducted site visits to campuses to support ongoing instructional and operational needs. At Frank Moates Elementary, I met with Principal Paraham to address a personnel matter, review progress on the i-Ready usage, and observe a 5th grade planning conversation focused on student culture and management of transitions. The campus continues to leverage data to track student growth and monitor intervention effectiveness, and leadership is working intentionally to sustain momentum.

At The Meadows Elementary, I supported the campus leadership team in finalizing their Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP). Much of the time was spent reviewing student performance data in preparation for upcoming grade-level and intervention meetings, as well as preparing for the November 7 Professional Learning Day. The focus will be ensuring grade-level teams convert data analysis into instructional adjustments, including updated small-group lists and tutoring intervention.

This week also included continued planning and coordination for CIP presentations at the upcoming November 12 Board Workshop. Principals are finalizing slide decks and narrative summaries to ensure alignment to district priorities, progress toward goals, and clarity on next steps for the second quarter.

Finally, on Thursday I participated in the City Year Dallas Red Jacket Ceremony, representing DeSoto ISD as we continue to strengthen our community partnerships and support leadership development for our scholars.

Finance (CONSTRAINT 2)

District Revenues for FY26

 as of November 7, 2025

Maintenance & Operations General Fund (199)

• Local Revenue (57XX): $585,549

• State Revenue Available School Funds (5811): $742,378

• Foundation School Program (5812): $11,454,787

• TRS On-Behalf (5831): $888,982

• SHARS (5931): $0.00

• Indirect Cost (5929-ID): $9,719

• JROTC (5949): $29,969

Child Nutrition (240)

• Local

  • Lunch Revenue (5751): $12,171

• Federal

  • School Breakfast Program (5921): $231,531

  • National Lunch Program (5922): $637,846

  • Federal Distributed by State (5939): $19,125

Debt Service (I&S) Fund (511)

• Local Tax Collections (5711/12/18/19/42): $355,387

Human Capital Management

Substitute Fill Rate:                 69.6%

Resignations:                                  0

Terminations:                                  0

Substitute and New 

Hire Onboardings:                           2

New Hires - Sub and FTE:             2

Gri evances:                                    2

Texas Workforce Claims:                3

• 1 - Denial

• 1 - Appeal

• 1 - Fraudulent Claim

Departmental/Campus Review:      1

NAVEX Weekly Incident Reporting Summary:

10.29.2025

Employee Misconduct - Coach using inappropriate language around/towards students

Campus: DeSoto West MS

Status: In progress

Findings: Substantiated

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

10.27.2025

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

Campus: DeSoto West MS

Status: Completed

Findings: N/A

Student & Staff Support Services

ATHLETICS

• DeSoto ISD will launch the SOAR Games this weekend. The SOAR Games is an athletic initiative designed to engage and hopefully, help retain students in the district by providing opportunities for them to participate in sports at the elementary level. The set-up is similary to intra-mural sports at college. Boys & Girls from The Meadows, Woodridge, West, Katherine Johnson, McCowan, and Moates will be competing in basketball against each other at DHS and MMS. These games will teach our young scholars competition, teamwork, and pride.

• Our DeSoto High School Lady Eagle Volleyball Team was victorious Tuesday evening and became Area Champions. They will face Tomball tonight at 6:30 pm at Franklin High School. Way to go Lady Eagles!!!!

ATTENDANCE

Vendor Meetings & Platform Evaluation

• Met with Qualtrics, an impact and engagement organization, to explore a potential replacement for the Panorama Survey platform

• Met with SchoolStatus representatives to advance discussions regarding contract to expand services related to attendance and truancy. 

Campus Support Visits

• Conducted campus visits at The Meadows and Amber Terrace to provide attendance support and technical assistance

Staff Support & Development

• Facilitated one-on-one meetings with CMMS Attendance/PEIMS Clerks for support and check-in

• Worked on presentation materials for Professional Development session

State & Regional Collaboration

• Participated in SCG FOI check-in with Region 10 to ensure compliance and program alignment

• Participated in SCG TEA District Visit Walk for state-level review and feedback

Compliance & Daily Operations

• Maintained Daily ADA tracker distribution and monitoring across campuses

• Completed Friday compliance checks for attendance

CHILD NUTRITION

• The team evaluated the two bids that were submitted for new serving lines

• Worked closely with the Whitsons and the maintenance team as we had two freezers go offline this week. We will did call and outside company to come in and see if there are any temporary fixes to decrease the chances of our coolers/freezers going down. The team will also began exploring options for replacement once the final audit is available.

• Mrs. Alvarado and Dr. Morrow began working on TASBO courses related to school nutrition. These courses should help the team better manage the overall Child Nutrition Program in the district.

• Whitsons operated the deli line this week in the main cafeteria at the DHS.

FINE ARTS

DHS Band- Battle of the Bands

Location: Eagle Stadium — DeSoto, Texas

Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025

Time: 12:00 PM

Our DeSoto Eagle Band will be hosting Supreme Battle of the Bands this Saturday at Eagle Stadium. Come out and support our musicians as they showcase excellence, discipline, and Eagle pride!

DHS Choir- Region 20 All-Region Choir Performance

Location: Dallas Baptist University

Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025

Time: 7:00 PM

Congratulations to Jeremiah Jeffery (Senior) for earning a place in the All-Region Choir. He will represent DeSoto at the Region performance this Thursday. We are proud of his hard work and vocal leadership!

Woodridge Elementary Dance Company -Performance @Texas Live

Location: Texas Live

Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Time: 5:00 PM

The Woodridge Dance Company will perform at Texas Live. Join us in cheering on our young artists as they perform with passion and grace!

Visual Arts- Christmas Card Contest

Location: DeSoto ISD ISC School Board Meeting

Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025

Time: 11:30 AM

Our District Art Department will present the 2025 Christmas Card Contest finalists. We look forward to celebrating the creativity and imagination of our talented student artists!

PARENT ENGAGEMENT

• Strengthened DeSoto ISD’s volunteer engagement efforts by tracking and reviewing campus activity through VOLY. The district has now logged 289 volunteer hours, with more than 200 of those hours coming from Katherine Johnson. 

• On October 31, the All Pro Dad Launch Party took place and was a huge success, bringing fathers and father figures together to build stronger connections with students and campuses. 

• The Golden Apple Competition officially kicked off this week, celebrating staff who join their campus PTA. Two campuses have already reached 100% staff participation, setting an excellent example for others to follow.

• Worked with campuses to finalize and submit their Title I documentation to the Title I Crate and began supporting preparations for upcoming National Parent Involvement Month activities. 

These efforts continue to advance the district’s goals of building strong family-school partnerships, maintaining compliance, and promoting Eagle Pride through community engagement and collaboration.

SAFETY & SECURITY

• Dr. Morrow has been coordinating with Insurica (formerly Edwards Risk Management) to schedule the district's mandatory safety audit. Insurica has conducted the last two safety audits for the district.

STUDENT SUPPORT

• Safe & Civil Schools: Foundations - Thursday & Friday, campus teams will be engaged in professional development. The focus of the training will be taking methodical steps to ensure proactive schoolwide behavior support, data-driven decision-making, and implementation strategies aligned with the Foundations framework.

• Stronger Connection Grant/TEA Visit - On Thursday the district will host a site visit welcoming Student Supports Implementation leaders with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), along with Region 10 Education Service Center leads. The visit is designed to highlight the Stronger Connections Program and the implementation of Zen Dens across campuses while engaging in meaningful dialogue around student supports, school climate initiatives, and sustainability planning.

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 support 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 

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

Work Orders

There were a total of 111 work orders completed and there are still 46 work orders in progress in the system.

Maintenance Highlights

• • LG systems at Early College - Ongoing

  • Still replacing burned out canopy lights at KJ

    • Working on back side

  • Generator at High School is up and running

    • Still working on McCowan

  • Still cleaning trash out on Visitor's side of Ben Dial Stadium

  • Installing Cat 5 for security cameras and TV's at McCowan & AG Barn

  • Still working on fixing AG Barn fence

    • Working on gates inside AG Barn

  • Still working on awning for cooling tubs at Ben Dial

  • Finished painting Gym 2

  • Painting hallways at KJ

  • Working on greenhouse at Amber Terrace

    • Will put timber around border

    • Getting quote for mulch

Groundskeeping

• Regular mowing and weed eating across the district to maintain clean and safe outdoor spaces.

Safety and Security

• Lock Downs

  • TME

Fire Drills

• No drills conducted

• Into the Great Wide Open Meetings Act: An Overview of Open Meetings Laws for Trustees 

• Money, Money, Money: Compensation and Other Board Staffing Decisions 

• Takin’ Care of Business: The Board’s Role in Business Decisions

• We are Family: Parents’ Rights in Texas Schools 

• Times They Are a-Changin’: An Overview of New Laws and Cases 

For your review.

Please complete the survey to share what you need in the weekly update.