[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6135768,"mediaKeyId","5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113","parentId",5669539,"title","Board approves personnel packet and votes to enter executive session on student discipline","audioSeconds",189,"startMs",1240000,"endMs",1429000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113&start=1240&end=1429","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113/thumbnail_1240000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6135768/Mississippi/Board-approves-personnel-packet-and-votes-to-enter-executive-session-on-student-discipline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135768-d1c1c0e09fefd0ef4fca9a1b8df4d1bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584078&Signature=EOFPCqCsfo5dEemjv2y8QsK3~yFx5yr7K68l5YxZgDA~djQ6f18siCABpq0zyqclnmsmXhWdF5W~301i5qZoi436VgoZD4Hqc2ZAvuwnN6IDSJgjLvmeqXb5Ct2sbjDZf5QIFU3WrjIovSblK~apZFrLM5E2c2qqE5WgVb~DSBiSNu4YrA7Yq3F5HtW5JCfi3EUkWzogNuf5Iv3eTIBQJtiHNuXjzKzykvC7O~vHyo8B5JXz-aY6H4fFj2vETk-wB021LBh4WtYixoKHVnA9-eb8egQyML1GZx-wdeIcQy0iY2Q-UOwRvF7uIz1VYNrWkq94j0j-KSZlZZSKW8pk0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","DeSoto County Schools Board of Education","date","2025-08-21T00:00:00Z","article","The board approved the personnel packet and then voted to enter an executive session to discuss student-discipline matters.

Staff presented the personnel packet which included: personnel recommendations across pages 1–8, personnel changes (pages 9–12), provisional pay for employees awaiting licensure, pay corrections for the 2025–26 school year, a request to temporarily overlap a bookkeeping position at central office to facilitate a transition, requests for stipends/additional pay for non‑certified staff newly hired as certified teachers to attend training, additional-pay requests for mentors and tutors (including a $30-per-hour stipend for mentoring work and after-school special-education tutoring), and dual-credit college instructor stipends (e.g., $2,500 per section for some dual-credit college biology sections). Several other additional-pay items for special programs and adjunct credit instructors were read into the record.

Superintendent James Olson recommended the board approve the personnel items; the board approved the packet by voice vote.

After approving personnel matters, the board considered a motion on whether to enter executive session to address student-discipline matters and voted in favor. The meeting concluded with the chair noting the board would return and announce whether it remained in executive session.

The transcript provides summaries of the personnel memos and pay amounts in some cases (for example, $2,500 per dual-credit section; $30 per hour for mentor support; $2,000 for a special-education satellite feature position), but it does not include individual employee names tied to those amounts or final personnel files. The executive-session motion identifies the subject as student discipline; no details of the discipline matter were read into the public record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 21st Desoto County School Board Meeting ","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved personnel recommendations including additional pay and staffing items, then voted to consider and enter an executive session to discuss student-discipline matters.","taxTitle","DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST, School Districts, Mississippi","taxId",12966,"location","Mississippi","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135773,"Board approves several policy revisions to align with state board guidance",152,1104000,1256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113&start=1104&end=1256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113/thumbnail_1104000.jpg","/articles/6135773/Mississippi/Board-approves-several-policy-revisions-to-align-with-state-board-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135773-074738a9f76ef38df21dd9648fd2cb19/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584078&Signature=KhcWdQBXYvCZib90ROJf5kYekx2BOYJDML3-ghF8~oFR-gZ73bBTmR06HaxHn1atI6R2VY7C~aFUXaAB~i2xbhgD8~AEjB7aOCAP23XgerPVzi9cnrO0zNK9DtHXY4W3rzuQmlCzT2FGIlJWE2wBvj3HT19iGU~JkHlaQdODEUXRKdT18jrjUZsKufQS6Ge4kz1WCyxllex1vZ8x~-E4~yTlXnMIbeOkvDDzL1IGQZLZBJ85q9lQY9Y-xwBOL3tn5bhy2pmBR95fikMU5PLa4JT05g5lCDZUx9LIcFmw9AdBT1cx5Ca2rEWXkJv5z6pDw0vDqfRucDnbDELc~Hr1kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board approved a set of revisions to district board policies to align local policy language with recent changes at the state level and with the 2024 guidance on school wellness.

Staff presenters asked the board to revise several policies to reflect updated state board language. Superintendent James Olson recommended approval and the board approved the revisions by voice vote.

Policies read and approved during the meeting included board policy IHFAA, IHFAD, IHFADA and JFA, and a policy identified as JG; staff said the changes align with state board policy changes or with the 2024 version of the state guide referenced for school wellness. The transcript records motions and voice votes approving each revised policy; no amendments or failed motions were recorded in the audio.

The transcript does not include the revised text of the policies or the specific state provisions that prompted each change. The board’s actions were approvals to revise district policy language; implementation steps, effective dates for the revised language, and any operational impacts were not read into the record in the transcript.","The board voted to approve multiple board policy revisions; staff said the changes bring district policies into alignment with recent state board policy changes and the 2024 guidance on school wellness.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135778,"Board approves June financials: revenues, expenditures, balance sheet and cash flow",179,897000,1076000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113&start=897&end=1076","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113/thumbnail_897000.jpg","/articles/6135778/Mississippi/Board-approves-June-financials-revenues-expenditures-balance-sheet-and-cash-flow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135778-f6f6007e53ddb3d0c23d8a88f2682590/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584078&Signature=iQmw0w32mwa9Ah5htEMOhYAA2LN8LVesBU8nn5rVp~RLwRSA12xwT68DWsqk~VhtArO8mggTWjEAj1-rwJQq~K9nb7boGAutx0bcdi-5~QmSYqSCkdEZG~9bMllsQnxZhw767n~go6bTwUB-6Fw1QQSYIU-Z0L890GFCemraqFJIC6zMR~Xb4UAfOsHizahO7HFHQ9nap-NlJkTjxEppI-p9-4f~-cKomAHPVdiEp1SK4ZwcyDKsFG5D9R9kj7yFclGqBpVHpx~qqbGJz7osf0rDzHcpflQDosSNIM4J9aP2fQerkaHXIY2pXVoVN8II-20gjUHOlxQjmBwuHQ3jWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The school board approved the district’s preliminary financial reports for June, including revenue and expenditure statements, the combined balance sheet and the statement of cash flows, and certified bank reconciliations.

A staff finance presenter reported preliminary general fund revenue collections for June at $375,032,160 and total revenues received through June at $428,305,753. Preliminary general fund expenditures for June were reported at $333,056,097. Staff said expenditures across all funds were $427,292,605 and that those increases were in line with the budget and below the district’s projections.

The presenter told the board the preliminary fund balance for all general funds was $198,294,700, about 9 percent higher than the prior fiscal year, and attributed the increase largely to higher MSFF and ad valorem collections and to timing (June typically includes teacher payrolls for June and July). The presenter also reported the preliminary June cash balance for district maintenance at $202,525,437 and total cash for all funds at $255,486,539; funds invested with Regions Bank were reported at $52,301,641.

Superintendent James Olson recommended approval of the reports and certification. The board approved each item by voice vote. The transcript records that bank statements were reconciled with no exceptions; staff asked the board to approve certification of bank reconciliations for June 2025 and the board approved the certification.

The transcript does not include supporting schedules, line-item detail, or statements of auditor review. The figures above are the preliminary numbers read into the record during the meeting; the transcript does not provide further breakdowns or final audited amounts.","The board approved preliminary June revenue and expenditure reports, combined balance sheet, statement of cash flow and bank reconciliations; staff reported preliminary general fund revenues and expenditures and explained the higher June fund balance driven by payroll timing and revenue increases.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135784,"Board approves series of construction and upgrade contracts for district schools",502,312000,814000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113&start=312&end=814","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6135784/Mississippi/Board-approves-series-of-construction-and-upgrade-contracts-for-district-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135784-3d92761f44eb99d743f29505ee11bb00/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584078&Signature=jS1uuX5ylBRF1qR6pL0D~dk5hR9S8xIcIsHtzKikOXPa29~fdPZU32ei4SJFyP3FajH~lnmxE8ot2UhLdVSv7bFjwrQZE086vsPQjlLdxl78xz1Qrdq4LWr-a5uLbIevy-MZQBj~8u6mz-389QfiN9CT2l4tnyI7WgfB459wg8U9a9BIT17SM3HR7oD9GRqTIf7EKkZZXR21rx0ESAl5t4UgXpTv~D1DexFOOT7NRBd9JHffCIQVvpvYz-P8toTf8CaXDRdMWvGHGSjO35NhPKkXa8aIPIv3qBKqU2cnB3i3Qr3anjqRMvakmp4fdbbD4SXFaToSOXrGPGOphmxtSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The school board voted to authorize a series of contractual agreements covering architectural and construction projects across the district, approving motions to enter contracts for athletic fencing, electrical upgrades, HVAC replacements, roofing repairs, paving projects and playground additions.

During new business, a district staff presenter requested permission from the board to enter multiple contractual agreements; Superintendent James Olson recommended approval of the requests. The board approved each request by voice vote.

Projects described in the meeting included: athletic fencing replacement at Southaven High School; architectural services for Moore Lake Middle School; bus-stop road paving; electrical upgrades at Greenberg Elementary School and Southaven Elementary School; HVAC replacements at Lewisburg Intermediate School and Center Hill Middle School; improvements at CareerTech West; locker-room renovations at Southaven Middle School; paving projects at Centerville Elementary, Olive Branch Intermediate School, Pleasant Hill Elementary and others; playground additions at Fernando Hills Elementary and other intermediate schools; restroom renovations at Olive Branch Elementary; public-address upgrades at Olive Branch Middle School; and gymnasium roof repairs at a middle school. Several motions referenced entering agreements with a recurring contractor name in the packet materials.

Most motions were recorded as \"All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion passes,\" with no roll-call recorded in the transcript. The meeting transcript does not include contract dollar amounts, firm legal names beyond the contractor names as spoken, or contingency and start/completion dates for the projects. The board’s actions were approvals to enter into contractual agreements; the transcript does not include the full contract documents or procurement details.

The meeting record shows the board directed staff to proceed with procurement steps necessary to finalize the agreements. The transcript does not indicate any sustained debate, public comment on the projects, or motions that failed. Implementation details, including project schedules, budgets and assigned departments for contract administration, were not provided in the audio transcript.","The board unanimously approved multiple motions authorizing contractual agreements for architectural and construction work at a range of schools, including athletic fencing, HVAC replacements, roofing, paving and playground additions.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135789,"School board approves update to wellness policy to reflect 2024 Department of Education guidance",112,116000,228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113&start=116&end=228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669539-1cab236a35203a6ef113385118988113/thumbnail_116000.jpg","/articles/6135789/Mississippi/School-board-approves-update-to-wellness-policy-to-reflect-2024-Department-of-Education-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135789-42da1d413ab76a2b6b24052ebdc08262/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584078&Signature=RiLaBo2j43P1XsUw~OJUeT2TzzsgtVyFPix-ydpFo39kAyDaYmfoOkR3NBAuEanEJM~qDEiTlBXxRRUaw4BGKk75da9PyVKRC2MLBSlZ0tgdW7c~Yo21MpZ~a5hq27u7Lcj4TpyQyE37hAfUiGH3tyD0WdoOTtSSkITHyj1zDo9BM0YvVtndSN8mwhED0q~E-PJHMizADHjbISB-pmu4JPBeHsNFF4naIghFLbdnyMtf0EUsFhEpw13FLzYnX3qg4nXdK5XmhI1FxbePss1Dt64yk6C1~uzpp49ZYZtOEBnnxn0NvzChaaNLJLD1tlytFB2Lq-9dNAHao8DMRkWOvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The school board approved revisions to the district school wellness policy on a motion from the board, following a staff presentation that the changes align the policy with 2024 updates from the Department of Education School Wellness Guide.

Superintendent James Olson introduced the superintendent's report and asked Ryan Herkadars, identified in the meeting as the superintendent of accountability and accreditation, to brief the board. Herkadars told the board the district completed a review of progress toward its wellness-policy goals for the 2024–25 school year and asked the board to revise the policy to match the Department of Education’s 2024 guidance.

The district wellness team assessed seven components of the policy: nutrition environment and services; physical education and activity; health education; health services; counseling, psychological and social services; family engagement, community involvement and marketing a healthy school environment; and implementation. Herkadars said physical education and activity, health education, and counseling, psychological and social services received “perfect” scores. The other areas — nutrition environment and services; health services; family engagement, community involvement and marketing a healthy school environment; and implementation — were described as “very high” but below 100 percent.

Herkadars said the district wellness team (the directors responsible for those areas) will make plans to address the components that were not marked as perfect, and that staff would send information to principals if the board approved the policy revision. He also said this report will be added to the annual mental health and wellness update presented by Jelana Williams in May.

The board voted to approve the recommended policy revision. The action recorded during the meeting was an approval of the revised school wellness policy; no appeal or amendment was recorded in the transcript.

The board’s action directs staff to implement the revised policy and to continue reporting progress through existing wellness and mental-health update channels. The transcript does not specify an implementation timetable or which specific operational changes will follow the revision.","The board voted to adopt revisions to the district school wellness policy to align with the 2024 Department of Education School Wellness Guide after a district review identified strengths and areas for improvement across seven components.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves personnel packet and votes to enter executive session on student discipline

Board approves several policy revisions to align with state board guidance

Board approves June financials: revenues, expenditures, balance sheet and cash flow

Board approves series of construction and upgrade contracts for district schools

School board approves update to wellness policy to reflect 2024 Department of Education guidance