The DeSoto Independent School District Board of Trustees voted on Monday, Oct. 26, to name Dr. Elna Davis the sole finalist for the district’s permanent superintendent position. Davis has been serving as interim superintendent since Sept. 14, guiding the district through day‑to‑day operations while the board completes its search.
Experience and Track Record
Dr. Davis brings more than three decades of experience in public education. Prior to joining DeSoto ISD, she served as superintendent of Tarkington ISD, where College, Career, and Military Readiness outcomes rose from 71% to 99% and the graduation rate climbed from 93.9% to 98.3% during her tenure. She also secured roughly $3.8 million in grant funding and led a debt‑restructuring effort that saved the district nearly $1 million and shortened its repayment schedule by seven years.
Before her time in Tarkington, Davis spent ten years in Grand Prairie ISD in roles such as area superintendent, chief of schools, and executive director, focusing on academic improvement, campus support, and operational efficiency. Earlier in her career she devoted 17 years to Mansfield ISD as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. While serving as a campus principal, her school was recognized by the Texas Business and Education Coalition as one of the top 10% of schools in Texas for five consecutive years.
Leadership Philosophy
According to DeSoto ISD, Dr. Davis describes herself as an “every scholar, every day” leader. She emphasizes high expectations, collaboration, meaningful relationships, and continuous improvement—principles she has applied since stepping into the interim role in September.
Next Steps Under Texas Law
Under Texas law, a school board must wait at least 21 days after publicly naming a finalist before taking final action on a superintendent’s employment. During this waiting period, Dr. Davis will continue to serve as interim superintendent. Once the required period has elapsed, the board may formally approve her appointment as the permanent superintendent.
District Overview
DeSoto ISD serves more than 6,000 students across ten campuses and employs roughly 800 staff members. The district’s community includes families from DeSoto, Glenn Heights, and Ovilla. Board officials said they will share additional information about the selection process and any future board actions as they become available.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
