The board voted Monday, Oct. 26. Under Texas law, trustees must wait at least 21 days after publicly naming a finalist before taking final action on a superintendent’s employment. Davis is expected to continue as interim superintendent during that period; the board may consider approving her for the permanent position afterward.

Davis has more than 30 years of public education experience, including roles as a superintendent, district administrator, campus principal and teacher. She has led DeSoto ISD on an interim basis since Sept. 14.

Before joining DeSoto, she was superintendent of Tarkington ISD. DeSoto ISD says that during her tenure, the district’s College, Career, and Military Readiness outcomes rose from 71% to 99%, while its graduation rate increased from 93.9% to 98.3%. She also helped obtain about $3.8 million in grant funding and led a debt restructuring that the district says saved nearly $1 million and shortened repayment by seven years.

Davis previously spent 10 years in Grand Prairie ISD in leadership roles and 17 years in Mansfield ISD as a teacher and campus administrator. The DeSoto district says her leadership approach emphasizes high expectations, collaboration and strong relationships, describing her as an “every scholar, every day” leader.

DeSoto ISD employs about 800 people and serves families in DeSoto, Glenn Heights and Ovilla. District officials said they will share further information about the selection process and any future board action as it becomes available.