District Leadership

Launa Bacon serves as the Director of Finance for Elkhart ISD, where she oversees the district’s financial operations and works to ensure resources are managed responsibly and effectively in support of students, staff, and the community. A 2003 graduate of The University of Texas at Tyler, Launa earned her Master of Business Administration and went on to build a career in healthcare finance and business development. She later transitioned to public education, serving as a Budget Analyst at UT Tyler before joining Elkhart ISD. Today, she enjoys putting her financial and business experience to work where the most important return on investment is student success.

Launa and her husband, Michael, have been married for 28 years and are the proud parents of two daughters, Avery and Austyn. Avery attends Austin College in Sherman, Texas, where she is beginning her college career on a pre-law track and as a member of the cheerleading team. Austyn attends Elkhart ISD and keeps the family busy with gymnastics and all the adventures that come along with being not only a natural performer, but also the youngest of the family. Outside of work, Launa enjoys cheering on her girls, listening to true-crime podcasts, and catching a good football game, especially on Friday nights. A firm believer that life is better when you don’t take yourself too seriously, Launa appreciates any opportunity to laugh, relax, and spend time with the people she loves most.  

After a career that has taken her through healthcare, business, higher education, and public schools, Launa is proud to bring the experience and perspective she has gained along the way to Elkhart ISD. She is committed to helping the district grow stronger through responsible stewardship, thoughtful decision-making, collaboration, and a willingness to keep improving and moving forward. Above all, Launa believes the work done today should help create a brighter future for Elkhart ISD’s students, staff, and community.

"Getting to know the Director of Technology"

Yancy Bell is the Director of Technology for Elkhart ISD and a proud graduate of the Class of 2011. He began his career at Elkhart in January of 2013 as the Technology Coordinator at the High School. In August 2016, he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration and began teaching Business Information Management I & II, while also serving as the campus Technology Coordinator. That not being enough, he received his Master's of Education in Instructional Design & Technology in May of 2020, where he took on the role of Director of Technology. He is currently in his sixth full year as the director and his fourteenth overall year with the district. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, as well as traveling the world. Every spring break, he travels to Europe and has been to Ireland, England, France, Italy, Greece, Germany, and the Czech Republic, and he looks forward to his next adventure. 

Reese Briggs began his teaching and coaching career in Midlothian, Texas, after graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1987. After three years, he arrived in Splendora, where he enjoyed teaching and coaching at the high school for the next seven years. Reese left Splendora in 1997 for the Deweyville Pirates, where he served as athletic director and head football coach. 

Reese returned to Splendora in 1999 to teach and coach, and received his Master's Degree in Education Mid-Management from Stephen F. Austin State University. His first experience in administration came in 2004 as an assistant principal, while also leading the football program. He finished his teaching and coaching career in Humble ISD as part of the first staff to open Atascocita High School in 2006 through 2009.  

The lure of administration called, and Reese journeyed to Cleveland ISD, serving as assistant principal for the 2009-2010 school year, and then principal at Cleveland Middle School through 2012. While in Cleveland, he pursued and received his Superintendent Certification from Lamar University. He then moved on to Kountze ISD as Assistant Superintendent, and then into the Superintendent position in January 2013. Hemphill ISD hired him as Superintendent in the summer of 2014. Reese led HISD for eight years, before retiring in June 2022. After one year of retirement, he went back to work as an interim superintendent, an interim elementary principal and as an educational consultant for an architectural firm.  In June of 2024, he returned to Splendora ISD where he served as the Chief Operation Officer until March 23, 2026 when he joined Elkhart ISD.  

Reese’s wealth of experience, unwavering dedication, and profound passion for education mark him as a valuable asset.  We look forward to the contributions he will bring to our school community.

Reese grew up in the southeast Texas town of Bridge City and graduated from Bridge City High School. He met his wife of 42 years, Mary Ann, now retired from 30 years in education, in nearby Port Arthur. They have two daughters, Emily and Sara, a foster son, Ashton, and a son-in-law, Quenton.

Candy Facklam is the Human Resource Coordinator for Elkhart ISD, where she has proudly served the district since 2017. During her time with Elkhart ISD, she has also served as the Payroll/Benefits Specialist and the Accounts Payable Clerk/Bookkeeper.

A longtime member of the Elkhart community, Candy moved to Elkhart in 1995 and quickly became a familiar face around town. For many years, she was known as the “newspaper lady” while delivering newspapers throughout the community. She later served as a Circulation Manager in the newspaper industry for eight years before beginning her career with Elkhart ISD.

Elkhart has been home to Candy and her family for more than 30 years. She and her husband, Wade, have two children, Joshua and Brooklyn, both Elkhart graduates, and two grandchildren, Aubree and Asher.

When she is not at work, Candy enjoys camping, spending time with her family, and tackling remodeling projects around her home. She enjoys being involved in the community and is proud to serve the district and the community she has called home for so many years.

“Getting to know the Superintendent’s Secretary”

Rachell Glenn is the Superintendent’s secretary and has been serving the Elkhart ISD community for almost 10 years. After graduating from Shepherd High School in 2000, she attended Kingwood Community College for 2 years before moving to Waco to pursue a Graphic Design Certificate from Texas State Technical College. This allowed her to become a graphic designer for the Palestine Herald Press in 2006. In a short time, she became the Pre-Press Manager and oversaw the installation of the CTP machine, ushering the Herald Press into the digital age. After dedicating her career for almost 10 years to the newspaper industry, Mrs. Glenn accepted the position of EISD Administration Receptionist in order to be more available for her daughters and husband of 13 years.

Kelly Green attended Sam Houston State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2011. She continued her education at Sam Houston State, earning a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2013. She later earned her school counseling certification from Angelo State University. In 2020, Kelly earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Tyler and obtained her principal certification.

Kelly began her teaching career in Westwood ISD, where she spent seven years in the classroom before transitioning into administration. She then served as Westwood ISD’s CTE Director for five years. Kelly later joined Elkhart ISD, where she is now in her third year and serves as the Director of Career & Technical Education and College, Career & Military Readiness.

Kelly has been married to her husband, Steven Green, for 11 years, and they have one daughter who attends Elkhart ISD. When she isn’t working, Kelly enjoys traveling, reading, spending time around the water, and, for reasons she can’t fully explain, continuing to cheer for the Dallas Cowboys. She is passionate about education, creating meaningful career opportunities for students, and making sure every student graduates with a plan for what comes next.

Greg Herring is a graduate of Elkhart ISD, Class of 1983, and has 25 years of experience in education. Prior to entering education, Greg worked as a butcher at Kroger in Palestine for 19 years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Lamar University. 

Greg has served the district as a bus driver for close to 19 years, a fifth grade teacher for his first year in education, a 6th grade science teacher at the middle school for 7 years, the high school assistant principal for 2 years, and over 15 years as the Intermediate principal. His present job as a Director of School Operations has allowed him to serve all four campuses overseeing the janitorial, nutrition, transportation, and maintenance departments. 

Greg says, “There is no place I’d rather be. The students and staff at Elkhart have become my extended family. Having my children and grandchildren attend Elkhart has been a blessing.

Tana Herring is a graduate of Elkhart ISD, Class of 1983,  and has 40 years of experience in education. Thirty-six of those years are with Elkhart, and four are from a neighboring school district.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in  Education from UT Tyler, and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Lamar University.

While previously teaching 3rd and 4th grades, as well as serving as the Elementary Principal, Mrs. Herring built relationships with our families, staff, and students. Her present job as a Director of Federal and Special Programs allows for connections to be made with families through various programs, grant opportunities for the district, helping others benefit from services offered by outside entities, and loving students and staff through assistance with various resources. 

As a graduate from Elkhart ISD, she is extremely proud to call Elkhart “home” and sees Elkhart ISD students and staff as family. She is proud to say that both of her children also graduated from Elkhart ISD, and she is now watching her grandchildren receive the same quality education. 

“Getting to know the Director of Transportation”

Shaun Mattern has served as Elkhart ISD’s Director of Transportation since 2014 with almost 25 years of mechanic experience to support him. He and his wife, Holly, established their family here 20 years ago and have since taken pride in watching their two children attend EISD from Pre-K to graduation. Their daughter, Ashlyn is a sophomore in college and her brother Mason will be graduating in May of 2022. His family claims the need to compete for his love against Odie, his favorite dog in the whole world.

Mr. Mattern credits the strong love for his job to being a blessing from God and serving the kind of EISD staff members that make his daily responsibilities enjoyable. His title is shorter than all of the tasks he handles and certainly causes him to go beyond the regular work-day hours to make sure everything runs safely and according to schedule. His past dedication continues to drive him onto more years of service here at Elkhart ISD.

Brandi McEnturff grew up in Montalba, Texas, and graduated from Cayuga ISD. She continued her education and athletic career at the University of Arkansas, where she played basketball and earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. In 2003 she earned her Master’s in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. In 2011, she earned her principal certification from The University of Texas at Tyler.

McEnturff began her career in education and athletics at Stephen F. Austin State University. From 2001 to 2004, she worked with the women’s basketball program while earning a master’s degree in education in physical education. She then spent the 2004-2005 school year at Livingston High School before pursuing her goal of leading her own athletic program.

From 2005 to 2007, Coach McEnturff served as Head Girls Basketball Coach and Girls Coordinator at Groveton High School. She continued her coaching career at Hudson High School from 2007 to 2009 before returning to the area to serve as Head Basketball Coach and Girls Coordinator at Westwood High School from 2009 to 2016.

In 2016, McEnturff came to Elkhart ISD as a basketball coach. During her time at Elkhart, she has served as a coach, special education teacher and coordinator, testing and dual credit coordinator, assistant principal, and principal. Her 26 years in education have given her valuable experience in athletics, instruction, special programs, student support, and campus leadership.

Brandi has been married to her husband, Duane, for 16 years. They have two daughters, Harleigh and Laci, and one granddaughter, Remmi. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, exploring the outdoors, and traveling to new places with her family.

I am honored to serve as the Principal of Elkhart Elementary School. I have been blessed to spend the past 20 years in education, and I am passionate about creating a school where every student feels valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

I am a wife, mother of four, and proud grandmother of two. My connection to Elkhart ISD is especially meaningful because three of my children attend school in the district. This makes me personally invested in the success of our students, our schools, and our entire Elkhart community.

My favorite thing about Elkhart is the strong family atmosphere and close-knit community. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the families of Elkhart and to be part of a community that truly cares about its children. It is a privilege to work alongside our students, families, and staff each day to help make Elkhart Elementary a place where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

“Getting to know our Maintenance & Custodian Supervisor”

Rickey Parker has been serving the EISD community for 20 years and is currently supervising the Maintenance and Custodian departments. Throughout these years, he has cultivated good working relationships with the staff and administration as well as many outside entities that perform services for our school district. Mr. Parker sets the standard of Excellence with his team which allows our school to receive dependable resources and services.

Kristin Steely serves as the Communications Officer for Elkhart I.S.D., entering her 17th year of dedicated service to the district and community. Guided by a servant’s heart and an unwavering commitment to student growth, she brings a diverse background in healthcare, classroom instruction, and administrative leadership to her role in district communications.

Her career in public education is built on a foundation of service. She holds an Associate’s Degree in E.M.T.-Paramedicine from Trinity Valley Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Texas. Driven by a passion to guide and impact student development on a broader scale, she earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Throughout her 17 years with Elkhart I.S.D., Kristin has served the district in numerous leadership capacities. At Elkhart High School, she taught Life Skills, Career Prep, and Education Prep, and served as sponsor for the Interact Club and Junior Varsity Cheer team. Most recently, she served for five years as Principal of Elkhart Elementary, where she focused on fostering a supportive, learning environment for young learners and educators alike.

In the community, Kristin is an active member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Palestine, supporting local service initiatives and civic outreach. She has been married for 21 years to her husband, Chad, who works for Enforcer Educational Services. Together, they are proud parents to their sons, Camden and Ashton, and lovingly cherish the memory of their heavenly daughter, Kate. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places with her family.

Ella Thacker is a proud graduate of Elkhart ISD, Class of 1983, and has devoted 28 years to serving students, families, and school communities. She currently serves Elkhart ISD as the PEIMS Coordinator and also contributes to the district as a bus driver.

Prior to returning to her hometown and joining Elkhart ISD in 2013, Mrs. Thacker served Alto ISD for 15 years. Her extensive experience in public education has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of school district operations and a longstanding commitment to the students and communities she serves.

Mrs. Thacker earned an Associate Degree in Public Administration from Tyler Junior College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.

In addition to her professional service, Mrs. Thacker values her role as a mother and grandmother. She is the proud mother of three grown children and grandmother of seven grandchildren. She considers spending time with her family one of her greatest joys and is grateful for the opportunity to remain actively involved in the community she has called home throughout her life.