The superintendent presented the district's first-quarter energy report for January through March 2025 and said weather swings drove higher heating and cooling costs during the period. Jonathan Hodges, who presented the charts, told the board that colder-than-average winter days followed by unusually warm February and March days increased HVAC use across schools.

The report matters because energy costs are a sizable portion of school operating budgets and can affect year‑end balances and maintenance planning. District staff said the pattern of several days below 30 degrees in January, mid‑70s in February and a third of March above 80 degrees led to sustained heating and cooling runs.

District slides shown to the board broke energy use down by school level, with primary and elementary schools representing the largest share by count and high schools accounting for concentrated after‑hours loads from athletics and activities. The presenter reported a year‑over‑year increase described in the packet as "$67,130,100.30 more spent compared to 2024." He also reported average winter temperatures of 49 degrees in 2025 versus 46 degrees the prior winter as context for increased heating days.

On individual schools, the presenter noted Southaven High showed a decrease in the metric cited in the slides (described as a "2,000 decrease"). He said no middle school showed a decline. The superintendent and board members noted they have not yet analyzed projected energy use for the district’s new high school, which staff described as large and outfitted with LED fixtures and other efficiency features, and said a formal projection has not been completed.

Board members thanked maintenance and energy staff for the report and for summer preparations. No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational.

The report was presented during the superintendent’s report portion of the July 17 meeting and will inform future budget and facilities planning, the superintendent said.