[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6252724,"mediaKeyId","3186754-9aef9f6977ccd1e6a8e8b0624695c93f","parentId",3186754,"title","DeSoto board green-lights $1,000 teacher supplement increase, approves personnel packet and names six principals","audioSeconds",727,"startMs",2955000,"endMs",3682000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3186754-9aef9f6977ccd1e6a8e8b0624695c93f&start=2955&end=3682","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3186754-9aef9f6977ccd1e6a8e8b0624695c93f/thumbnail_2955000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6252724/Mississippi/DeSoto-board-green-lights-1000-teacher-supplement-increase-approves-personnel-packet-and-names-six-principals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252724-1e1e4b06e64a555b6d5d1239267ee5d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002520&Signature=GxYcYdP2sv43Ot3lWoa1INDk6jy9UnCrvN3bNi~Khn4P63-EPeGZz4sN4d7ZGVUjBHR9TlUYHvO8TZuOKAk6C6bjJpLLFE8VIGzm62SSrY2sCmyHyfngSpR52NyoCdRXDV0eute8Dc2PknWxtH7F5gwLwxumSb2wYyX4o6WUeNWCVTj9cf8Az~0gosXgXWXMylI8s2vkoWj-v1Xmk7qLeLWcIC9x5FRRE34AcbfVykW7-meAtrMW60RKm13aCyGeDpQKRFGeEYCLYP37ttu5aQyfauBgpgwJdnkuUGMU6W5LSu8-UdJFKTNfrlSKo-hqalcqjM0iOkIOL2FEHL4t~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-03T16:28:55.713Z","article","The DeSoto County School Board approved a $1,000 increase in the districts local teacher supplement and approved a personnel packet that included multiple hires, summer-pay requests and the appointment of six new principals.

Superintendent Usilton told the board his recommendation to increase the local teacher supplement was approved; the supplement will rise by $1,000 and the superintendent said that will raise the minimum local supplement for all teachers to at least $7,700, with teachers having 20 or more years of experience receiving more than $8,000. The board discussed and then approved the personnel packet by motion and voice vote.

Why it matters: The supplement increase affects district teacher compensation and was described by the superintendent as possible because the district was conservative in its spending during the year. The personnel packet covered a wide range of items: approval of new principals, job descriptions, requests for additional pay for summer committees and summer work, and other staffing changes.

Action details recorded in the meeting included approval of the personnel recommendations, and the board formally approved the hiring of six new principals. The new principals who spoke briefly to the board were Jennifer Hodges (DeSoto Central Primary School), Scott Nichols (Fernando Elementary School), Adar Horvath (Fernando Intermediate School), Dr. Madhivah Johns (Hope Sullivan Elementary School), Janice Long (Oak Grove Central Elementary School) and Alice Doode (Pleasant Hill Elementary School). The personnel packet included dozens of line items listed by page number in the packet, such as positions for summer committees, additional pay for plant maintenance work, professional development stipends and other temporary assignments; the board approved those items as presented.

The board also approved multiple board policy revisions (see separate agenda items) and then moved to consider executive session matters including student-discipline and a potential litigation matter.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 1 st, 2025 - DeSoto County School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent told the board it approved a $1,000 increase in the local teacher supplement (raising the minimum supplement to at least $7,700), the board approved a large personnel packet including summer pay requests and hired six new principals; motions passed by voice vote.","taxTitle","DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST, School Districts, Mississippi","taxId",12966,"location","Mississippi","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6252729,"DeSoto board approves HVAC replacement contract for Olive Branch Middle School",177,2076000,2253000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3186754-9aef9f6977ccd1e6a8e8b0624695c93f&start=2076&end=2253","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3186754-9aef9f6977ccd1e6a8e8b0624695c93f/thumbnail_2076000.jpg","/articles/6252729/Mississippi/DeSoto-board-approves-HVAC-replacement-contract-for-Olive-Branch-Middle-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252729-38f19a0e6d1fc6cfe1d0448e39cf9e77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002520&Signature=Hw-t1cE0o0t5z4YpmmcWy-LF3wpTS~GuSI9KN1tbzM3Jltk6teEs2RklxhsX~Hw7JQQ-UAWkurqUJpouzzuhhjrWkhfz~cn0MlVB8ufZ35yeLqKPHa~Vcye6euWy0ug5uHwdZ3LbT7dKogD~rzt4bB7ionNs8GStrIT7zkgjKw1FNr3g6DTUrvRtsiqFUd9emFVcygkNhf7Maybwjr5xJ1Zw3lQAs~1L39xb-0wTWk4ulUN8jIgOZ0wo5gy8xrs5cCQEWqEFKFAMzanaZuP8vGBfP~hCn8mAwsDViTh5irpOyfqrZpanPYCdskraxtbVwYXJ5A9pIVJb17UGK~8tIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeSoto County School Board approved a contract to replace the HVAC system at Olive Branch Middle School, accepting the district's lowest and best bid and authorizing staff to enter a contract with May General and Mechanical LLC.

Facilities staff presented the bid results and recommended accepting the lowest and best bid; board members moved and approved the recommendation by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The contract award authorizes district staff to enter into an agreement with May General and Mechanical LLC for the HVAC replacement project.

Why it matters: The boards action clears a procurement step needed to begin campus HVAC work at Olive Branch Middle School. The presentation noted four bids were received; staff recommended the lowest and best bidder. The board did not discuss a contract amount in the public record of this meeting.

The motion to accept the bid and to enter the contract passed by unanimous voice vote. The record does not show a roll-call tally or the dollar value of the contract in the public discussion captured in the transcript.","Board accepted the lowest and best bid from May General and Mechanical LLC for an HVAC replacement at Olive Branch Middle School and authorized a contract award; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6252734,"DeSoto County Schools details year of growth in school-based mental health services",503,1488000,1991000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3186754-9aef9f6977ccd1e6a8e8b0624695c93f&start=1488&end=1991","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3186754-9aef9f6977ccd1e6a8e8b0624695c93f/thumbnail_1488000.jpg","/articles/6252734/Mississippi/DeSoto-County-Schools-details-year-of-growth-in-school-based-mental-health-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252734-ece019973bc2c85a0dd1657a23ae5777/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002520&Signature=bjsniic8Mgntosgi19sP1UP9aVFkzcutbEbm4puWZBXMBzMmUkXzu~TF5h516AJO95qBdd8L82MZNtvAH9ZoGZVvTD8wW-h66haWkhCBCclgcrkK-2tpM5PsEIaHE3~~85DES1zwC5K3zSmVtqhaDbkYaxsdNJjbMt1G5jbVo92cvl2K1FhT7tbxK9H4ofp74iL71N03A75fC7jJw87LQc6pTjw~DijbDu~GPIeoXMpLfx5ps4mBt-euUPmaKSBexKfCzDG3OhHVeeMoxo3x-mJXtaWv3M9TVY2kR5qYuU6Iyo4DmwfAhTXZvZY61TrEmtaoVZoQMb42ZYj380OZJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its regular board meeting, DeSoto County School District officials reviewed a year in the life of the districts school-based mental health program and described an expansion of services and community partnerships.

The report, delivered by Suwanna Williams, director of mental health services, said the program served more than 1,100 students during the past school year, operates with 14 licensed clinicians and includes a district social worker and an interventionist. Williams said the department has increased outreach through school-based events, community nights and partnerships with local organizations.

Why it matters: Board members were told the program aims to connect families with local providers and build capacity among school counselors, an approach officials said has drawn interest from other districts. The presentation framed mental-health work as part of the districts broader effort to support students wellbeing and academic success.

Williams outlined multiple community events hosted this year, including mental health awareness nights at DeSoto Central and other schools, a healing hearts and minds themed event at Lake Cormorant, and collaborations with the DeSoto Arts Council, Brown Baptist Church and Northwest Church of Christ. She said the department convened a Mental Health Advisory Council and provided professional development for school counselors, including a session with a national speaker.

Williams credited internal staff and external partners, and said other districts have contacted DeSoto County Schools seeking help to replicate elements of its program. Superintendent Usilton thanked the mental health team and noted the program began seven years ago.

The presentation did not include requests for new board action or specific new funding; Williams described ongoing activities and partnerships and listed staffing and service counts as evidence of scale and capacity. Board members responded with thanks and recognition for the staff and clinicians.","District officials told the board their school-based mental health program served more than 1,100 students this year, operates with 14 licensed clinicians and expanded community partnerships, including events and professional development.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DeSoto board green-lights $1,000 teacher supplement increase, approves personnel packet and names six principals

DeSoto board approves HVAC replacement contract for Olive Branch Middle School

DeSoto County Schools details year of growth in school-based mental health services