North Texas

DeSoto ISD Investigating Allegations of Financial Mismanagement of Past School Administrators

The DeSoto ISD was one of only two in North Texas to receive a "D" grade on state academic accountability ratings

Several high-ranking administrators have left the DeSoto school district in recent months as officials investigate whether some funneled money to themselves and favorite employees as well as other potential wrongdoings.

DeSoto ISD Superintendent D'Andre Weaver on Tuesday sent a letter to his staff acknowledging that the district is working with the Texas Attorney General's office and the Texas Education Agency to investigate "unethical practices."

Weaver and school board president Carl Sherman have not said exactly what those unethical practices may be. However, they did say the district is looking into how district money was used.

Click here to read more from our partners at The Dallas Morning News.

On Monday, DeSoto Mayor Curistene Smith McCowan met with Weaver. She told NBC 5 she thinks the district can turn things around "sooner than later". 

"I just think everybody is trying really hard and working very hard to make this happen without the district being taken over by the TEA," McCowan said. "I would hope they would give this new administration a chance."

McGowan served as a school board member and president in the 1990s. 

"I honestly don't know how they got there," McCowan said of the district's troubles. "What I do know is the district if focused on raising the level of academic achievement and focused on bringing in people who have the education and the background to bring this district to where we all want to see it."

Next month the school district will host a series of community meetings with Dr. Weaver to talk about the changes and challeges DeSoto ISD faces. 

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