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The DeSoto City Council has announced three finalists for the search for a new city manager and is inviting residents to take part in a meet and greet at city hall.

The public meet and greet will take place on Thursday, April 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and give residents a chance to meet the final candidates for the city manager position.

“We are excited to welcome our three City Manager finalists to City Hall on Thursday evening and are inviting residents to stop by or tune in so that they can meet them,” said DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor.

Residents will be able to meet the three candidates face to face as well as view the main proceedings on the city’s website and Facebook page.

The city also has its own app on Roku, a popular streaming platform that allows people who wish to view the proceedings from the comfort of their homes to do so.

Citizens who are unable to attend the meet and greet in person but still have questions will be able to submit questions in advance by clicking on a special link.

DeSoto City Manager Candidates:

Majed Al-Ghafry — An Executive Engineer and educator with 35 years of government and private sector experience. He is presently the Assistant City Manager and Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Dallas. He previously served as Assistant City Manager of the City of El Cajon, California, and the Director of Public Works for San Antonio, Texas. Al-Ghafry is a Credentialed City Manager and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Texas, Denton, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston.

Cheryl Harrison-Lee – Lee is the CEO of Harrison-Lee Development Consulting Company and has served for 39 years in public administration, including serving as a municipal administrator in Florida and Kansas. She also serves as the Chief Technical Advisor for the City of Kansas City, Missouri Central City Economic Development Sales Tax District. Harrison-Lee holds a graduate degree from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina. She is also a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Program. Finally, Harrison-Lee is a Credentialed Manager through the International City Management Association (ICMA) and a Certified Planner through the American Planning Association (APA). 

Joseph L. Lessard — Lessard served in the public sector as City Manager of Ashland, Oregon, Assistant City Manager for Austin, Texas, and Assistant to the City Manager of Dallas, Texas. He also served in the private sector in executive positions in land development and multi-family financial oversight and provided consultant services in intergovernmental relations, economic development, and project management. Lessard holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a public finance concentration. He also holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees in business administration and political science from Washington State University. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute, Congress for the New Urbanism and the International City/County Management Association.

“The person that we select as City Manager will lead DeSoto for several years and guide projects and policies that will shape our city and impact residents for decades to come, so my Ci

The DeSoto Independent School District will be hosting an Educator Job Fair to provide an opportunity for prospective educators to explore career opportunities within the district.

The event takes place on Saturday, May 4, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the DeSoto ISD Belt Line Conference Center.

The event aims to recruit certified and experienced educators for various teaching positions for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.

“In DeSoto ISD, we pride ourselves in immersing students in the Triple-A Experience – academics, athletics, and the arts,” said DeSoto ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Usamah Rodgers.

The job fair will be held at the DeSoto ISD Belt Line Conference Center, located behind the district’s administration building at 200 East Belt Line Road in DeSoto.

The district is actively seeking educators for a range of teaching positions, including EC-6 Teachers, Special Education instructors, as well as Secondary Math, Science, and English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) teachers.

In addition to hiring certified teaching professionals, DeSoto ISD will also consider candidates for teacher-in-residence and teacher intern positions.

“Teachers in Residence are individuals who are currently working to obtain their teaching credentials through an alternative certification program,” said DeSoto ISD Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Dr. Elexia Robinson-White.

“They would be considered ‘hired’ under the ‘Teacher in Residence’ designation.” 

The starting salary for teachers within DeSoto ISD is $58,500, with additional stipend opportunities available for certain bilingual, special education, and tutoring roles.

The district is also offering competitive compensation packages, including opportunities for financial incentives such as the Teacher Incentive Allotment and stipends.

“We understand the unforgettable impact excellent educators have on students and are looking for passionate professionals ready to roll up their sleeves and make a difference for our scholars,” said Rogers.

Educators interested in the job fair can register at Jotform.com.

For more information about available job positions, visit the DeSoto ISD website.

The post DeSoto ISD to Host Educator Job Fair appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

Australian Police have arrested a teenager after he was suspected of stabbing multiple church parishioners as well as a church leader.

The stabbing incident took place at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on the Southwest side of Sydney during a Monday night Mass, according to officials.  

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, along with multiple parishioners, suffered injuries during the attack.

The stabbing at the church comes less than a week after a man went on a stabbing spree inside the popular mall in Sydney’s bustling Bondi Junction.

This latest stabbing happening at the church triggered a near-riot that required hundreds of police to bring it under control, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Graphic footage of the incident circulated across social media, showing the teen walking towards Bishop Emmanuel and then lunging at him with the knife.

Video of the aftermath shows the Bishop lying on the floor as members of the church provide aid.

The suspect, who has only been identified by his age, 15 years old, “sustained injuries to his hand as a result of his actions,” according to NSW Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland.

Following the horrific incident, a large group of people gathered outside of the church, prompting more police to arrive at the scene.

“Police were in the process of conveying the young person from the church when it was identified a large group had gathered outside,” said Holland.

“A decision was made to retain the young person in the church for his safety.”

The post Teen Stabs Multiple Members of a Church in Sydney appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

DeSoto Works! Job Fair marketing
CALL FOR EMPLOYERS

ATTENTION DESOTO EMPLOYERS: Are you in need of employees for your business?
Mark your calendars for the DeSoto Works! Job Fair on May 22, 2024, from 10 am to 2 pm at Disciple Central Community Church.

With over 400 eager job seekers, this event is your opportunity to find the perfect fit for your business.

Secure your spot now by registering at
[desotoworksemployerregistration.eventbrite.com]

This event is hosted by the City of DeSoto, DeSoto Economic Development Corporation, DeSoto Area Chamber and Disciple Central Community Church, and powered by Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas.

Let’s build a thriving community together! For more information, email prosperity@dc3online.org.

The post DeSoto to Host Job Fair to Help Employers appeared first on Focus Daily News.

This is the monthly Student Achievement Data Progress Monitoring being held in the DeSoto ISD's ISC Board Room.