Plano ISD announced Leanne Norris as the district’s Director of Human Resources during the December 9 school board meeting.
Ms. Norris was previously an elementary principal in Frisco ISD. As a principal since 2018, she has implemented strategic processes and structures that elevate professional practice, support staff retention and advancement, and ensure student achievement remains at the forefront of every decision.
“Ms. Norris brings more than two decades of successful educational leadership, with a proven record of building high-performing teams, sustaining a culture of shared accountability, and leading with transparency and integrity,” said Plano ISD Chief of Employee Services Dr. Duana Kindle.
She has extensive experience supervising and developing staff through the effective use of the Texas Evaluation and Support (TTES) Appraisal System, as well as differentiated professional development and embedded campus leadership opportunities, all of which align directly with the core human capital functions of an HR department. Her background includes cultivating data-driven professional learning communities, managing MTSS systems and positive behavior supports, and ensuring compliance with state laws, district policies and safety expectations.
Ms. Norris has also served as a district dyslexia therapist and trainer, where she co-facilitated the district’s Dyslexia Teacher Training Program, conducted formal observations and coaching, and developed districtwide systems to track student data for reporting and accountability. She began her career as a classroom teacher, which provided her with a deep understanding of the needs of staff, students and families across school communities.
Ms. Norris holds a Master of Education in Administration and Technology from Lamar University and multiple Texas certifications with specialized credentials as a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor through the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. Her combination of instructional expertise, systems thinking and relationship-driven leadership positions her to lead the HR team.