DeSoto school officials report health screenings, food-distribution totals and new high school features; attorney notes $6,000 closing overrun on new-school buy

The DeSoto County School Board on April 22 received an update from Superintendent Dr. Bennett on student health screenings, district food-distribution activity and features of a planned new high school, and heard from the board’s attorney that the recent closing on property for the new school exceeded the previously approved amount by roughly $6,000.

The superintendent said the Florida Department of Health audited the district’s school clinic and nursing programs “with flying colors.” Dr. Bennett reported dental work for 911 students and 1,424 dental sealants placed; she said 296 students who received dental services had no insurance. For vision screenings, the district recorded 1,071 students screened. Hearing screenings are completed in kindergarten, first and sixth grades; Dr. Bennett said 717 students were tested and 114 parents opted out, representing a completion rate she said was about 96.76 percent.

Dr. Bennett also told the board that every school in DeSoto County now serves as a food pantry; she said staff and students distributed 2,458 bags of food districtwide last week. The superintendent praised school staff and volunteers for running the pantries and noted students and guidance staff assist with distribution.

On facilities, Dr. Bennett described recent renderings for the district’s new high school, saying the first floor will house career and technical education (CTE) spaces and fine arts areas, including cosmetology rooms arranged so clients can check in through the front office. She said plans include a large outdoor lunch seating area and a 450-seat auditorium. The district’s Fine Arts Festival is scheduled for Thursday at the Turner Center from 6 to 8 p.m., the ROTC banquet is Friday at DMS, and CTE awards are set for May at the DMS cafeteria.

At the start of the meeting the board’s attorney, Mr. Hudak, informed the board that the district’s closing statement for the recently purchased property for the new school came in “about $6,000 and some odd dollars over the amount approved at the last meeting.” He noted internal rules allow approvals up to 20% above previously authorized amounts and said he had discussed the figures with staff.

Board members also discussed a procedural change to swap the order of board-member final comments and public presentations; board members agreed staff can switch the agenda order so board remarks occur before the public comment period.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the night’s procedural items by voice vote — the agenda, minutes, financial reports, routine business and a packaged new-business approval. Motions were moved and seconded on the record (see provenance). The board recorded no roll-call no votes in the transcript; each motion was announced as “All in favor? Aye. Motion carries.”

The meeting included several recognitions: CTE teachers named on the agenda were Miss Ballard, Miss Bennett, Miss Besswick, Mr. Davis, Miss Dewey and Miss Werwith; Luke Jones of Memorial was cited as organizing the Fine Arts Festival. The board also noted participation in local events, including a workshop in Nocatee mentioned by a board member.

The superintendent closed by reiterating pride in district staff and the upcoming new high school features; no formal action altering the new-high-school plans or the health programs was taken at the meeting beyond routine approvals.