DECATUR, Texas — The Decatur ISD Board of Trustees has selected Lana Coffman to serve as its new Director of Assessment, Accountability, and Federal Programs, effective immediately. Coffman, a DISD alumna, steps into this new central office role after serving for the past eight years as principal of Young Elementary School.
“Lana Coffman is an ideal selection for this role, and we’re excited for this opportunity to tap into her areas of expertise,” said Superintendent Taylor Willliams. “Lana’s dedication to data-driven instructional growth, strategic planning, and collaborative work aimed at improving academic outcomes across grade levels will help our district build momentum that drives student success.”
During her tenure as principal of Young Elementary, Coffman developed a strong passion for using data to drive instruction, track student progress, and build robust systems of support for both students and teachers.
"This district holds a special place in my heart, and I am honored and excited to serve in a new way," said Coffman, a Decatur High School (DHS) graduate. "My time at Young prepared me well for this next step, and I look forward to supporting our schools in ways that are purposeful, practical, and focused on student success. I believe in Decatur ISD, and I’m committed to helping it grow stronger every day."
Coffman began her career in Decatur ISD as a teacher at Rann Elementary in 2001. She departed for Northwest ISD to teach from 2002-2010 before returning to Decatur to serve as an assistant principal, first for Rann and then Young. She was promoted to principal in 2017 at Young Elementary, which experienced high STAAR scores from the Texas Education Agency in recent years, including an “A” rating in 2023. Coffman earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Texas Woman’s University and her master’s degree in school administration from Lamar University. She holds several educator certifications, including for principal and superintendent.
She and her husband, Drew, head coach for DHS Lady Eagles Basketball team, live in Decatur with their three daughters –– Avery, a 2022 DHS graduate, and Laken and Maddyx, who both currently attend DHS. Outside of work, Coffman enjoys spending time with her family and friends and cheering on all things sports.