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.