Desoto ISD board of trustees appointed an interim superintendent on Wednesday night. According to a report by The Dallas Morning News, the newly appointed interim superintendent, Larry Lewis, previously led a local school district when it faced difficult finances and state intervention.
After many years working as a public school administrator at Lancaster ISD, Lewis resigned over a decade ago. Since his resignation as Lancaster’s education chief, he has worked with other school systems and has provided consultation on education issues.
Outgoing superintendent D’Andre Weaver announced in November that he was leaving DeSoto ISD to work with an education nonprofit. That opened the school system for new leadership. According to The Dallas Morning News, the board of trustees moved quickly with their selection as Weaver is set to step down this month.
Board members selected the interim superintendent in a unanimous vote after interviewing candidates for hours earlier in the night. The interviewed candidates were not disclosed, save for the appointed person.
According to The Dallas Morning News, Lewis will have to tackle challenges such as widespread learning loss and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which districts across the country have been facing. However, before he takes the mantle, the district’s legal counsel still has to negotiate a contract with him.
Per The Dallas Morning News, questions have been asked about Lewis’ tenure in Lancaster, which ended amid a district investigation into financial issues. In a statement, board president DeAndrea Fleming said the board is aware of “past concerns regarding Lewis” but sees such concerns as “unfounded and without merit.” She further said that trustees look forward to having him in DeSoto.
As reported by The Dallas Morning News, Fleming also said that Lewis offers a range of experiences at different levels of educational leadership. Speaking for trustees, she said they are confident in his ability to properly lead and serve the district as the interim superintendent until they find a long-term leader.
The district plans to advertise for the permanent superintendent post through a search firm in early 2022. Trustees say they will take what families want into consideration during their selection.
