The Denton Independent School District Board of School Trustees named Dr. Susannah Holbert O'Bara the district’s Superintendent of Schools, following the 21-day waiting period required by Texas law. Dr. O’Bara replaces Dr. Jamie Wilson, who was named Superintendent – Emeritus on June 18, allowing for a smooth leadership transition until his retirement in January 2025.
With this action, Dr. O'Bara is the first female superintendent in the district's 142-year history, a position she has earned after three decades of serving the students of Denton ISD.
“As a lifelong resident having spent all of my years of formative education – from kindergarten through college in Denton – I genuinely feel like the story of my life parallels the story of our district,” said Dr. O’Bara. “My love for this community and our people drives me to excel and learn new things every day – something I wish for each of our children.”
On June 18, the Board of Trustees named Dr. O’Bara the Acting Superintendent and hosted candidate interviews on July 2. Following that process, Trustees named her the Lone Finalist.
Prior to being named Acting Superintendent, Dr. O’Bara served as the Deputy Superintendent of the district, overseeing district curriculum, instruction, staff development and academic programs.
Dr. O’Bara has extensive knowledge of Denton ISD and its history of academic excellence. Growing up, she attended Borman Elementary, Calhoun Junior High School (now Middle) and graduated from Denton High School when the campus was on Fulton Street. She served more than seven years as a classroom educator, working at Wilson (now Shultz) Elementary and Ginnings Elementary before moving to be an inaugural member of the McMath Middle School staff.
Dr. O’Bara’s first leadership opportunity was to serve as an Assistant Principal of Ginnings Elementary for six years. After serving one year as the Assistant Principal of Hawk Elementary, she accepted the principalship of the campus, a role she held for almost a decade.
In 2013, Dr. O’Bara was named a finalist for the Texas National Distinguished Principal Award, and during that time she earned a reputation for being a leader of teachers.
In 2015, she served as the first Area Superintendent of Academic Programs for the Guyer High Zone, expanding her leadership and acumen of secondary education. In addition, she supervised the district’s Health Services and Fine Arts Departments.
As an Area Superintendent, Dr. O’Bara collaborated with district and campus leaders to refocus and energize efforts to ensure all Denton ISD graduates are prepared for college, career and life. In addition, she also developed Denton ISD’s leadership profile, which serves to identify and build on various traits the district seeks in members of its leadership team.
In 2021, Dr. O’Bara was elevated to lead the Academic Programs Division, where she oversaw the academic programs and operations of all 43 of Denton ISD’s campuses. Her instructional acumen has led to her becoming one of the most sought-after assessment consultants in the region. She has worked in various states to develop and implement sustaining assessment practices that garner student success through achievement.
Dr. O’Bara transitioned to the Deputy Superintendent’s role in 2023 and assumed all oversight of the district’s curriculum, instruction and staff development – including special education and bilingual education. She brings a vast knowledge of the district's academic practices and procedures and has presented professional development opportunities at numerous school districts across the state, as well as several state conferences.
As the district grows at an unprecedented rate, Dr. O’Bara’s knowledge of the local communities will continue to propel Denton ISD. She helped design and establish a vision for new elementary schools built in the district – along with commensurate High School No. 5 and the district’s second advanced technology center – which will be built in the town of Cross Roads as a result of the 2023 bond referendum.
Dr. O’Bara received her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of North Texas and her master’s degree in educational leadership from Texas Woman’s University. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of North Texas.
