Teaching & Learning (CONSTRAINT 1)

PLCS in Strong Start 

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are off to a strong start on all campuses across the district! Instructional teams are actively engaging in collaborative planning, internalizing slide decks, and focusing on building teacher capacity. This intentional work is designed to align instruction, support student achievement, and strengthen instructional practices through shared leadership and continuous improvement. 

MTSS Campus Walks and Observations 

This week,  myself and Director of MTSS, Dr. Buford, visited campuses across the district to conduct observation walks focused on intervention during WIN (What I Need) time. These visits provided valuable insight into how targeted support is being implemented to meet student needs. The team was able to see high-impact strategies in action, celebrate strong instructional practices, and identify opportunities to continue strengthening intervention efforts district-wide. 

Accountability Campus Tours 

The Assessment and Accountability team has kicked off district-wide Data Road Tours, visiting campuses to engage leaders in targeted discussions around state accountability metrics and strategies to accelerate student growth. These sessions are designed to provide clarity on performance data, identify key leverage points, and support schools in developing action plans that drive progress. 

Hispanic Heritage Planning in Full Swing 

Planning is in full swing for Hispanic Heritage Month, as campuses across the district prepare to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures, and lasting contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. From engaging classroom activities and cultural showcases to student-led performances and community events, schools are working collaboratively to create meaningful experiences that honor heritage, promote inclusivity, and foster cultural pride. Mrs. Moreno, Director of EB is working closely with Comms Team. 

T&L Launch Teacher of the Month 

The Teaching and Learning department is proud to launch the Teachers of the Month initiative to celebrate educators who go above and beyond in their classrooms. Each month, outstanding teachers will be spotlighted for their impactful instruction, commitment to growth, and the positive energy they bring to their campuses. We look forward to recognizing the incredible talent across our district! 

Principal Tatum setting the expectations for PLC's at Woodridge ES

School Leadership 

(CONSTRAINT 3) 

This week, my work in School Leadership was centered on building principal capacity, monitoring classroom environments, and ensuring alignment to district expectations for instruction and culture. Across the week, I conducted a total of 11 campus visits. These included three visits to The Meadows Elementary, two visits each to Moates Elementary and DeSoto High School, and one visit each to Woodridge Elementary, Cockrell Hill Elementary, and McCowan Middle School. Each of these visits allowed me to provide direct polish to principals and reinforce systems that directly impact student engagement and academic readiness.

I began the week at DeSoto High School, where I joined Mr. Manning in conducting Character Counts observations in Social Studies classrooms. These visits allowed me to verify that the lessons were being implemented with fidelity. We provided follow-up coaching to Dr. Darden and also circled back with the Character Counts leads to ensure alignment and consistency in how the lessons are being delivered across the department. Later in the week, I returned to DHS to reinforce those expectations and provide continuity in monitoring.

At The Meadows Elementary, I visited three separate times to observe and support their PLC processes. During one of these visits, I observed Ms. Dillard facilitating the Math PLC, where teachers were working to align lessons and anticipate student misconceptions. My polish focused on ensuring the facilitation was anchored in both alignment and quality of student engagement. I also collaborated with Dr. Morrow to design targeted chronic absenteeism attendance incentives for The Meadows, West Middle, and Moates Elementary. These incentives are aimed at addressing attendance gaps, which directly support accountability metrics.

At Cockrell Hill Elementary, I conducted a walkthrough that highlighted the need for cleaner, more purposeful classroom environments. I provided the principal with clear expectations and next steps for implementing a tracker of administrator feedback and monitoring changes in the physical environment to ensure classrooms are conducive to meaningful student learning.

At McCowan Middle School, I followed up with Principal Boston-Smith on her new male mentoring program, designed to provide additional support and guidance for young male scholars. We discussed strategies to track participation and monitor student outcomes tied to this initiative, reinforcing the importance of student culture and targeted supports at the middle school level.

At Moates Elementary, I visited twice. The first time, I observed Principal Paraham’s management of the cafeteria during lunch transitions, ensuring smooth operations and student safety. On my return visit, I participated in his instructional leadership meeting, where the focus was on WIN time implementation, teacher support, and STAAR goal-setting. My polish emphasized keeping these systems tight and aligned to campus priorities. On another visit, I joined Principal Paraham and staff members in a professional learning session led by Ms. Cardell and Ms. Harris, alongside Chief McCloud, where the focus was on understanding the state accountability system and its implications for campus planning.

Finally, I visited Woodridge Elementary, where I observed PLCs in action. Teachers modeled upcoming lessons for one another, and I provided feedback on how administrators can push teachers to deepen their internalization of lessons and strengthen student engagement during delivery.

Across these visits, my polish to principals consistently focused on three areas: (1) tightening PLCs to ensure alignment and lesson quality, (2) establishing high expectations for classroom environments, and (3) strengthening systems for culture and student support.

The impact of this work is evident. Teachers are receiving direct coaching and modeling within PLCs, students are benefitting from structured Character Counts lessons, stronger classroom environments, and mentorship programs, and principals are being held accountable for concrete systems such as attendance, WIN time, and STAAR goal-setting. These leadership moves are positioning campuses to show measurable progress in student engagement, academic readiness, and culture metrics.

Looking ahead, I anticipate these actions will yield improved student engagement with Learning Objectives (LOs) and Demonstrations of Learning (DOLs), stronger teacher readiness, and measurable improvements in attendance rates and campus accountability outcomes.

For the Board, this work demonstrates that School Leadership is not passive—it is intentional, documented, and aligned to district priorities. Each visit is an opportunity to build principal capacity, ensure accountability, and directly impact student achievement.

This week’s work exemplifies PRIDE: Purpose in aligning Character Counts and PLCs to student growth, Responsibility in holding leaders accountable through trackers and follow-up, Integrity in addressing campus environment concerns directly, Determination in tackling attendance and culture challenges, and Excellence in setting high standards for instruction, leadership, and student engagement.

Finance (CONSTRAINT 2)

District Revenues for FY26 as of August 31st , 2025

Maintenance & Operations General Fund (199)

• Local Revenue (57XX): -$32,759.30

•  State Revenue Available School Funds (5811): $199,871

•  Foundation School Program (5812): $1,635,009

• TRS On-Behalf (5831): $442,660

 Federal Revenue

• JROTC (5949): $18,114

Child Nutrition (240)

• Lunch Revenue (5751): $2,169

Debt Service (I&S) Fund (511)

• Local Tax Collections (5711/12/18/19): $68,616

Human Capital Management

• Growing Greatness: Pathway to Educator Certification Session
  On August 29, 2025, DeSoto ISD hosted the Growing Greatness: Pathway to Educator Certification session for all Teacher in Residence (TIR) educators. This session provided critical guidance on certification requirements under House Bill 2 and outlined district supports for teachers working toward full certification.

• NAVEX Incident Reporting Platform Training
  On September 3, 2025, district leaders participated in an Introduction to the NAVEX EthicsPoint Incident Reporting Platform. This training introduced the new reporting system that will streamline the process for submitting, tracking, and managing reports related to misconduct, safety, and compliance.

• Region 10 TEA Investigations Training
  On September 4, 2025, representatives from Staff and Student Support Services and Human Capital Management attended the TEA Investigations Training, led by the Executive Director of the Investigations Division. This training provided in-depth updates on Senate Bill 571, including misconduct reporting requirements and expectations for district leaders.

• From Concern to Conclusion: Your Role in Conducting Investigations September 03, 2025
  Principals participated in this leadership session, which reviewed SB 571 misconduct reporting requirements, provided training on the DeSoto ISD Investigation Handbook, and introduced the district’s new incident reporting platform, EthicsPoint.

• Special Education Leveling
  In alignment with student enrollment and service needs, the district has begun the leveling process for Special Education staffing. This work ensures that staff are strategically assigned to campuses based on student numbers and highest-priority needs, with changes communicated to campus leaders and staff in early September.

P.R.I.D.E. in Action: 

Respect: The implementation of NAVEX fosters a culture of respect by providing staff, students, and community members with a safe and confidential way to report concerns.

Integrity: The TEA Investigations Training reinforces our district’s dedication to integrity by ensuring leaders are well-versed in state laws and equipped to respond appropriately to allegations of misconduct.

Excellence: Each of these efforts—certification support, compliance training, incident reporting, and strategic staffing—demonstrates our pursuit of excellence in creating safe, supportive, and effective learning environments.

Student & Staff Support Services

Our Student and Staff Support Services (S4) experienced a dynamic week filled with valuable learning experiences and collaborative interactions with leaders from various departments. One highlight was a comprehensive session on the district's new process for conducting and documenting investigations. Team members were guided through this critical process during a focused meeting led by Dr. Davison, who emphasized the importance of thorough documentation and effective communication strategies.

Additionally, Dr. Williams conducted a hands-on training session tailored for campus staff members who step in to support their campuses during times when the assigned nurse is unavailable or occupied. This training provided participants with essential skills and protocols to assist students and staff in need of medical attention, ensuring that they are well-prepared to respond in various emergencies.

In another important initiative, Dr. Morrow and Mr. Manning collaborated with Dr. Davison to strategize staff training related to compliance with SB 571. Their planning session was aimed at developing targeted training resources that will equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure compliance and enhance overall student support services.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Anderson was busy throughout the district, dedicating her time and expertise to a variety of Fine Arts initiatives. She played a crucial role in preparing our Fine Arts performers for their much-anticipated appearance on the WFAA morning show, showcasing their talents to a broader audience. In addition to these responsibilities, she has been actively involved with the DHS Eagle Band as they dive into the excitement of "Marching Season". The Fine Arts Department continues to thrive under her leadership, producing outstanding performances and creative projects that enrich our students’ educational experiences.

Communications

Communications Department – Week in Review

This week, the Communications Department supported several district initiatives and ongoing projects aligned to student success, staff engagement, and community outreach.

Instructional & Scholar Engagement Support

• Following receipt of a media inquiry, the team developed a notification to principals regarding an online conversation among teens across the country planning a nationwide protest against gun violence by walking out of their respective schools. In an effort to enact proactive crisis management and prevention, the team created a notification and recommendation to leaders and the district’s security staff regarding the matter. 

• Covered Dr. Rodgers' lunch service to scholars via partnership with Whitson's, the district's child nutrition provider.

• Placed content related to upcoming football games this week re: ticketing, bag policy and broadcast information.

• Launched communications for the iReady Reading and Math Challenge, engaging scholars and families in academic growth.

• Promoted Attendance Awareness Month initiatives and created content for Principal’s Month observances.

• Supported a student-led film shoot in partnership with the DeSoto High School Broadcast Department, producing a promotional video for the September 11 College & Career Fair.

Staff & Community Engagement

• Advanced staff wellness marketing, including Zen Den access promotion.

• Promoted Library Services’ Grandparents Day program, supported by a grant from the Black Caucus of the African American Librarians Association. The program will highlight intergenerational connections and feature a district staff author sharing her family’s oral history.

• Continued development of Hispanic Heritage Month content, including video storytelling and a special districtwide photo project.

Events & Partnerships

• Coordinated preparations for the College Football Playoff/Cotton Bowl Association donation event at The Meadows Elementary (Sept. 16), including logistics, photography, and planning for final walkthroughs.

• Finalized communications and logistics for the Sept. 5 WFAA Morning Pep Rally at the Bush Center, aligning with the Game Changers exhibit. DeSoto ISD will be featured live from 5 a.m.–8 a.m., showcasing student and staff representatives in academics, arts, and athletics, with significant regional exposure and promotional value.

Communications Infrastructure & Compliance

• Updated multiple sections of the district website, including Parent & Family Engagement, Human Capital Management, and Communications pages.

• Developed the Community VOICES web portal to ensure compliance with the Parents’ Bill of Rights, providing feedback access across all campuses and departments.

• Met with the district’s grants manager to align and clarify protocols for donations, grants, and partnerships.

• Participated in coalition meetings to implement a whistleblower reporting tool (NAVEX).

• Engaged in planning with the website CMS provider regarding a district website refresh, focusing on style consistency, updated templates, and preparation for departmental and intranet page revisions.

• Initiated planning to enhance internal and external newsletters, including stakeholder surveys to inform improvements in format and frequency.

Summary
The Communications Department continues to strengthen district visibility, support instructional and community programs, and ensure compliance with legislative and organizational requirements. This week’s work reflects a balance of immediate event execution, proactive campaign development, and long-term strategic planning for district communications.

Technology

In alignment with our district’s strategic vision for digital transformation, we are launching a comprehensive technology modernization plan to elevate learning, enhance safety, and streamline operations across all campuses.

1. Microsoft Intune Deployment

To strengthen cybersecurity and simplify device management, Microsoft Intune has been deployed across all district-owned devices. This cloud-based solution enables remote administration, policy enforcement, and efficient app deployment. It also supports our device lifecycle—from provisioning and tracking to retirement—ensuring seamless management at scale.

2. Student Device Upgrades

With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, we are proactively upgrading student laptops to Windows 11-compatible models. These new devices offer improved performance, access to modern learning tools, and ongoing security updates. High school students and campuses with aging hardware are prioritized in the rollout.

3. Digital Signage Expansion

To improve campus-wide communication, digital signage is being installed in key areas such as front offices, cafeterias, libraries, and athletic facilities. These displays will deliver real-time updates, emergency alerts, event schedules, and student recognition—centrally managed for consistency and impact.

4. Student Device Distribution

Every student will receive a district-issued laptop for academic use as part of our device initiative. Distribution events are coordinated with campus leadership and include orientation, digital citizenship training, and access to tech support. Devices are tagged, enrolled in Intune, and preloaded with essential educational tools.

5. Campus Security Camera Enhancements

To improve campus safety, we are upgrading to high-definition IP cameras with night vision and motion detection. These enhancements boost visibility and incident response and integrate with law enforcement systems. We are also exploring AI-driven features such as facial recognition, license plate readers, and behavioral analytics.

6. Document Management System Evaluation

We are currently evaluating enterprise-grade document management systems to be implemented district-wide. This initiative aims to centralize digital records, streamline workflows, and enhance collaboration across departments. Key criteria include:

• Security and compliance with FERPA and HIPAA

• Integration with existing platforms such as Microsoft 365 and student information systems

• Accessibility for staff, students, and administrators

• Automation tools for approvals, archiving, and retention policies Stakeholder input is being gathered through pilot programs and vendor demonstrations, with implementation planned upon final selection.

7. Bond-Funded Technology Projects

Through strategic vendor partnerships, we are working to implement a series of bond-funded upgrades -once approved- , including:

Project Description

1. Chromebook/Laptop Deployment

2. Devices to support digital learning

3. Audio-Visual Upgrades

4. Modern AV systems for stadiums, auditoriums, gyms, and boardroom

5. Bells and Paging Systems

6. Updated communication systems for daily and emergency use

7. Baseball Field Technology

8. Sound systems and live-streaming infrastructure

9. Emergency Notification Systems

10. Integrated alerts via intercoms, signage, mobile apps, and classroom devices

11. Smart Lockdown Systems

12. Automated door locking and alerting via panic buttons or AI threat detection

13. Board Room upgrades

14. Security Camera upgrade

8. Password Management Enhancements

Students now have the ability to change their own passwords, empowering them with greater control and improving overall security. Additionally, a new feature is in development that will allow teachers to reset passwords for students in their classes—streamlining classroom tech support.

Every initiative is rooted in our commitment to purpose-driven education. By modernizing infrastructure, deploying cloud-based tools, and expanding access to digital learning, we are preparing students to thrive in a connected, secure, and rapidly evolving world. These efforts reflect our integrity, determination, and pursuit of excellence—ensuring every student is equipped to lead with confidence and succeed with purpose.

Maintenance & Operations

We have had a very busy week of work.  From taking care of our football team as they traveled to Georgia to working across the district-our small team has accomplished a great deal for our students with excellence. One of our contractors greatly assisted us at the AG barn this past weekend.  When he saw the condition of the barn, he brought a crew of six to help us! It is wonderful to have partnerships with companies who care about our students as much as we do. 

Here is the list of work accomplished this past week. There were a total of 51 work orders completed and there are still 45 work orders in progress in the system.

Maintenance

• • LG systems at Early College - Ongoing

    • Still waiting on parts

      • Compressor is out

  • Ben Dial Stadium leak has been repaired

  • Still painting at KJ

    • On hold due to students being back in classrooms

  • Painting at High School

    • Working on 2200 hallway classrooms

  • Eagle Suite

    • Still working on floors

  • Done carpeting last classrooms in 1200 hallway at High School

  • Still replacing burned our canopy lights at KJ

    • Waiting on lift rental

  • Still waiting on HoltCat for generator at McCowan to get them back up and running

  • SpEd A/C is up and running now

  • Working on removal of trash compactors

  • Set up for PD

  • Contractors cleaning AG Barn

    • Trimming trees

Grounds

• Mowing and weed eating around district