DENTON, Texas — Denton ISD could soon have its first female superintendent in the district’s 142-year history.
Dr. Susannah Holbert O’Bara, who served as deputy superintendent for the district before she was named the lone finalist for the top job this week, is also an alumna of Denton High School. She’ll be the district’s new superintendent after a 21-day waiting period.
O’Bara replaces Dr. Jamie Wilson, who announced his plans to retire after 12 years in the job last month. Wilson will serve as superintendent emeritus until Jan. 31. O’Bara was named acting superintendent when Wilson announced his retirement.
“Dr. O’Bara is a lifelong resident of our community, which gives her an all-encompassing understanding of our unique, vibrant culture,” said Board President Barbara Burns. “As a graduate, teacher and parent in our district, she understands the needs of our families and excels in seeking solutions to our challenges. Her passion for student learning and staff support have positioned her to be the leader our organization needs to keep us moving forward.”
Before getting into leadership, she worked as a teacher at Wilson (now Shultz) Elementary and Ginnings Elementary before becoming an inaugural member of the McMath Middle School staff
O’Bara served as assistant principal of Ginnings Elementary for six years, and assistant principal of Hawk Elementary for one year before she became principal there.
In 2013, she was named a finalist for the Texas National Distinguished Principal Award. O’Bara also served as the first Area Superintendent of Academic Programs for the Guyer High Zone in 2015.
She was promoted to lead the academic programs division in 2021, where she oversaw the academic programs and operations of the district’s 43 campuses, and was named deputy superintendent in 2023.
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.
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