During the combined August 25, 2025,
meeting, the DeSoto Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the
following appointments at the recommendation of the district’s administration:
Dr. Elexia Davison, Director
of Human Capital Management
Dr. Elexia Davison serves as the Manager
of District Staffing and Talent for DeSoto ISD, bringing extensive
expertise in human capital management, educational leadership, and
organizational development. A proud DeSoto High School graduate, Dr.
Davison has built a career as a systems thinker and strategic leader,
specializing in talent acquisition and retention, workforce development, policy
and compliance, professional learning, performance management, and HR systems
innovation.
In DeSoto ISD, Dr. Davison has
directed major human capital initiatives, including designing districtwide
staffing systems that streamlined hiring and improved candidate pipelines,
launching innovative teacher pipeline programs such as the Teacher-in-Residence
Program and Para-to-Teacher Cohort Program, and implementing the Hybrid
Work Model that balanced organizational needs with employee flexibility.
She also developed digital platforms like the Eagle Experience Hub and Campus
Leader Launchpad, centralizing HR processes to improve efficiency and
accessibility for staff and leaders.
A committed champion of equity,
integrity, and employee growth, Dr. Davison has led professional learning on
ethics, accountability, and leadership development while standardizing
district-level investigation practices to strengthen fairness and consistency.
Her work has significantly advanced employee engagement, retention, and
organizational culture across the district.
Dr. Davison holds a Doctorate in
Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University, where her
dissertation examined team cohesion and leadership dynamics, as well as a Master’s
in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas at Dallas and
a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Prairie View A&M
University. Certified as a Texas administrator and social studies educator,
she has also presented at state and national conferences, including the Texas
Association of Black School Educators, Magnet Schools of America,
and Region 10 HR Summit.
Known for her innovation,
authenticity, and values-driven leadership, Dr. Davison continues to build
systems that empower educators, strengthen workforce pipelines, and ensure
every employee has the tools and support needed to contribute to student success
in DeSoto ISD.
Carmina Moreno, Director of Emergent
Bilingual Education
DeSoto ISD is proud to announce the
appointment of Carmina Moreno as the district’s new Director of
Emergent Bilingual Education. A proven bilingual education leader, Moreno
brings over a decade of experience supporting Dual Language, ESL, and science
programs across elementary and secondary levels.
Moreno holds a Master’s degree in
Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor
of Science in University Studies–Physical Science from the University of Texas
at Arlington. She is bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish and is
deeply committed to expanding access to high-quality, research-based
instruction for students from historically underserved communities.
Most recently, Moreno served as Elementary
Emergent Bilingual Coordinator in Fort Worth ISD, where she supported 63
Dual Language campuses and 17 ESL-only campuses. In this role, she provided
professional learning, instructional coaching, and on-site support while
collaborating with district leaders to strengthen programs and increase
reclassification rates of English learners. She played an instrumental role in
the rollout of the district’s Dual Language Instructional Framework for PK–5
and guided alignment of instructional materials and assessment strategies to
ensure students achieved at high academic levels while developing bilingualism
and biliteracy.
From 2021 to 2023, Moreno co-led the
development of Fort Worth ISD’s first authentic dual language science
curriculum and supported bilingual and ESL science teachers with
TEKS-aligned instruction. Earlier in her career, she spent eight years as a
bilingual teacher at Sam Rosen Elementary, where she taught grades 2–5
in dual language science, social studies, and self-contained classrooms. During
that time, she was recognized as FWISD District Teacher of the Year (2020)
and Campus Teacher of the Year (2019–2020).
A frequent presenter and instructional
leader, Moreno’s work emphasizes building teacher capacity, connecting strong
content instruction with language development, and fostering culturally
responsive, data-informed approaches to learning. She has presented at state
and national levels, including the National Science Teaching Association
(NSTA) Conference, and is recognized for her expertise in biliteracy
models, instructional planning, and supporting newcomers and unschooled
students.
As the Director of Emergent
Bilingual Education in DeSoto ISD, Moreno will lead the district’s efforts
to ensure that scholars who are developing proficiency in English receive
high-quality, research-based instruction that promotes both language
development and academic achievement. This leader will oversee the design,
implementation, and evaluation of Dual Language and ESL programs across grade
levels, providing coaching, professional learning, and resources to teachers
and campus leaders. By aligning curriculum with state standards, monitoring
student progress, and fostering culturally responsive practices, the Director
will work to increase reclassification rates, expand biliteracy opportunities,
and ensure equity of access. Ultimately, the position will support DeSoto ISD’s
commitment to its Triple A Experience by empowering emergent bilingual
scholars to thrive academically, linguistically, and socially.
Ernesto Yrlas, Director of Maintenance
and Plant Services
Mr. Yrlas is a highly experienced
maintenance and facilities leader with more than 20 years of service in school
operations and plant services. Currently serving as Interim Director of
Maintenance and Plant Services for DeSoto ISD, Yrlas is known for his
commitment to operational excellence, safety, and responsive leadership. With a
career rooted in hands-on technical expertise and team-based management, he has
built a reputation as a reliable, solution-oriented professional who ensures
that educational environments remain safe, efficient, and fully operational.
Yrlas has served DeSoto ISD since
2008, first as Maintenance Supervisor, where he oversaw a team of 25 employees
and implemented streamlined processes for preventive maintenance, equipment
repairs, and facilities safety. Under his leadership, work order systems were
modernized, staff training was enhanced, and operational efficiency increased
across campuses. He brings technical proficiency in HVAC, plumbing, electrical
systems, fire panel troubleshooting, and carpentry—complemented by
certifications including locksmithing, backflow testing, and Integrated Pest
Management.
Prior to his time in public education,
Yrlas held leadership roles in manufacturing and HVAC service, where he
developed strong skills in quality assurance, production scheduling, and team
supervision. He holds a computer certification from Navarro College and is a
proud graduate of Ennis High School.
As Plant Services Director, Yrlas will
lead districtwide facilities services with a focus on strategic facility
planning, preventive maintenance, and creating clean, safe environments that
support student learning and staff wellbeing. His work is critical to the
overall success of DeSoto ISD’s instructional mission, and he remains dedicated
to ensuring that every building is ready to meet the needs of a dynamic and
growing school community.
For more information about
DeSoto ISD’s programs, services and initiatives, please visit www.DeSotoisd.org.
View event photos here.