Check four recent updates from Denton ISD, including two job fairs and a pay raise for staff.
Denton ISD to rezone Paloma Creek Elementary students to higher-performing schools
Denton ISD leaders are planning to repurpose Paloma Creek Elementary School after it did not meet Texas Education Agency standards for several years in a row.
The district’s board of trustees and district staff discussed the rezoning plans in a Feb. 24 meeting. Current students will be moved to nearby, higher-performing elementary schools as part of DISD’s Building Forward initiative, according to a district news release. Students will be moved for the 2026-27 school year.
During the meeting discussion, Superintendent Susannah O'Bara said the district is committed to ensuring students are learning at high levels.
“This is not an easy conversation or an easy recommendation, but we firmly believe we will better fulfill what we promised to our students and families this way,” O’Bara said.
Put in perspective
Paloma Creek has been scored a D for three consecutive years under the TEA’s accountability rating.
When schools consistently perform poorly, the TEA gives districts several options to boost academic performance, including the option to reassign students to higher-performing schools, according to the release.
Currently, there are about 400 students attending Paloma Creek. Of this, there are 54 fifth graders who will be leaving after the 2025-26 school year and 72 students in the pre-K program, which has students outside of the Paloma Creek zone, O’Bara said.
Denton ISD to relaunch virtual school, offer Denton Digital courses for K-12 students
Denton ISD officials are looking to reinstate a virtual learning option for students.
District officials discussed Denton Digital, a K-12 virtual learning program offering full-time or single-course online learning options, during a Feb. 10 board meeting.
Some context
DISD previously operated its Virtual Academy for K-8 students which launched in the 2021-22 school year. This program ended after the 2022-23 school year due to state funding not increasing for public schools during the 88th legislative session.
Denton Digital would be a virtual learning program and not a virtual campus, said Lisa Thibodeaux, DISD’s director of secondary curriculum, instruction and staff development. Under Senate Bill 569, passed during the 89th legislative session, virtual campuses require at least 50% of a campus population to be enrolled in the virtual program. A virtual program allows less than 50% of a campus to be enrolled in virtual instruction, according to the meeting presentation.
Several area districts have recently launched open enrollment online learning programs, such as Frisco ISD’s Frisco Flex.
“We really want to keep our students in Denton ISD,” said Lacey Rainey, DISD’s assistant superintendent of school leadership and academic programs. “We know that by reinstating a virtual program ... we will be able to meet our student’s needs. We know that by keeping our students, we are being fiscally responsible.”
Denton ISD teachers to receive $750 pay increase; staff to see 1% midpoint payment
Denton ISD teachers and staff members will receive a pay increase after the DISD community approved of a tax rate increase under Proposition A.
The overview
The pay increase was discussed by district staff during a Feb. 24 school board meeting. Teachers will receive a $750 increase, which is more than 1% adjustment, while staff members will receive a 1% increase on the midpoint of their current pay grade, according to a district news release.
Superintendent Susannah O’Bara explained that through a district-wide survey staff members were asked how they wanted district leaders to utilize the additional funds. Staff members “overwhelmingly” supported increasing staff pay and deemed that a top priority, she said.
“Although we can’t do a huge increase right now ... this is helping us to get a more level playing field before we bring you a compensation recommendation for the next budget season,” O’Bara said.
Denton ISD to host 2 March job fairs for all positions, departments
Denton ISD will host two job fairs in March for all departments and positions across the district, according to a news release.
What’s happening?
The fairs will allow interested candidates to interview in person for multiple positions, according to the release. Those positions include instructional, support, administrative and auxiliary roles.
The first fair will be March 21 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Braswell High School. While this fair is for all positions and departments, instructional placement will be for campuses specifically zoned for Braswell High School, according to the release.
The second fair will be March 28 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Denton High School. This fair supports positions open across Denton ISD.
