Desoto independent school district

In 1976, Americans celebrated the country’s first Black History Month with a message from President Gerald Ford. However, the monthlong celebration has roots that trace back to 1926, when Carter G. Woodson, a Black historian, author, and publisher, created a weeklong observance in mid-February. Woodson recognized that African Americans would need to make a concerted effort to preserve their own history. He also sought to create opportunities for African Americans to take pride in their shared history. His creation of Negro History Week, which coincided with the birthdays of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and African American abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass, would eventually pave the way for today’s monthlong celebrations.

Every year, Woodson’s organization, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), selects a theme for Black History Month. The theme for 2025 is African Americans and Labor. This theme highlights the ways in which Black people have historically and currently engaged in labor. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this includes the experiences of 4.12 million Black Americans aged 55 and older who worked full- or part-time jobs as of 2023. The theme also encompasses the experiences of earlier generations, both free and enslaved.

In the DeSoto Independent School District, educational opportunities are designed to shape scholars’ access to and advantages in the modern workforce through the district’s focus on college, career, and military readiness initiatives. This month, the district will spotlight African American leaders who have made significant contributions to shaping the future of the district and its scholars.

Join us in spotlighting…

Alton Frailey

Alton Frailey is a trailblazer in education and a key figure in advancing public schools, particularly in DeSoto ISD. A passionate advocate for educational equity, Frailey served as the district’s superintendent from 2005 to 2007, leaving a lasting impact on its growth, academic success, and community engagement.


During his tenure, Frailey focused on improving student outcomes, raising graduation rates, and ensuring all students, regardless of background, had access to quality education. His leadership played a pivotal role in launching programs designed to close the achievement gap and foster an environment where students of all races and cultures could thrive.


Frailey is credited with creating district's Portrait of a Graduate, establishing the Golden Eagles Seniors’ Prom to re‐engage senior citizens in public schools, and spearheading a gradual rise in test scores, even as state standards also rose. Under his leadership, he moved two campuses from academically unacceptable to acceptable by the end of his tenure. The district had  two recognized campuses in 2004‐05 and three in 2008.

Frailey’s commitment to education extends far beyond his time in DeSoto ISD. With a career spanning more than 30 years, including roles as a teacher, principal, and administrator, he became known as a visionary and a dedicated advocate for students. Under his guidance, DeSoto ISD received national recognition for its academic improvements and emerged as a model of excellence for school districts across the country.


Frailey’s work not only transformed the educational landscape of DeSoto but also inspired countless educators, students, and families to believe in the power of education to change lives. As we celebrate Black History Month, his legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the role education plays in shaping the future and the profound impact of dedicated leadership in communities of color.


Through his achievements, Frailey continues to inspire future generations of leaders to embrace the values of equity, perseverance, and excellence.