DeSoto Independent School District (ISD) is inviting the community—parents, students, teachers, staff, and district leaders—to provide input on the development of campus leader profiles that will help shape the future of leadership across all schools. This initiative is part of the district's ongoing commitment to selecting visionary, effective, and supportive leaders who can drive the academic success and overall growth of DeSoto ISD schools.
"As we move forward, it is essential that we have leaders who are not only effective managers but also inspirational figures who can foster growth, collaboration, and innovation in our schools," said Larry Davis, Director of Human Capital Management. "By developing a campus leader profile that incorporates stakeholder input, we are ensuring that our leadership pipeline reflects the values and priorities of our entire community, which will ultimately contribute to the district’s success."
To gather input, DeSoto ISD has launched a survey for stakeholders to share their thoughts on the qualities, experiences, and leadership strategies that should be prioritized when hiring campus leaders. The district is dedicated to ensuring that the selection process reflects the values and expectations of the entire community, aligning with the district’s mission of fostering an inclusive, equitable, and high-performing learning environment.
Why Campus Leader Profiles Matter
Designing a clear, comprehensive profile for future campus leaders is critical to selecting individuals who will have a direct, positive impact on the educational experience of DeSoto ISD students. These leaders will not only be responsible for managing day-to-day operations but also for guiding schools toward academic excellence, fostering a positive and inclusive culture, and ensuring that the district’s strategic goals are met. The process of creating these profiles will help ensure that the leadership qualities prioritized are aligned with the district’s long-term vision for success.
"Our schools are only as strong as the leaders who guide them," said Raul Pena, Interim Executive Director of School Improvement. "The profiles we develop will help us identify leaders who have a clear understanding of our students’ needs and are committed to continuous improvement. This initiative provides our community an opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of leadership in DeSoto ISD, which is key to ensuring all our students thrive."
As the district seeks to continue #soaringhigher, community stakeholders are asked to support the development of principal profiles that will support the unique needs of each campus community.
"As a district, we are focused on creating environments that support both academic and personal growth for every student," said Stephanie McCloud, Chief Academic Officer. "The campus leader profiles will be a guiding tool in our search for individuals who can lead with purpose, compassion, and strategic thinking. We are excited to hear from our stakeholders and use their input to make informed decisions about the qualities we want in our future leaders."
Stakeholder Survey Participation Encouraged
The following surveys are open now and available online via the links below:
DeSoto ISD encourages all community members to take a few minutes to complete the survey and provide their perspectives on the qualities and characteristics that are essential for effective campus leadership. Feedback from the survey will be instrumental in guiding the district’s hiring decisions for the upcoming school year.
"The engagement of our community is essential to the success of this process," added Davis. "We value every voice and believe that the collective input of our stakeholders will help us ensure the selection of exceptional leaders who will guide DeSoto ISD into the future."
The survey will remain open until May 16, 2025, so please make sure to submit responses before the deadline.
For more information, please visit DesotoISD.org or direct an email to [email protected].