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Superintendent outlines housing plan options; board to revisit after foundation input
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Bennett said county and district staff are pursuing zoning changes and partnership options for a proposed housing project that could range from about 30 units to as many as 72; the board will revisit the proposal at its next meeting in March.
Superintendent Dr. Bennett told the DeSoto County School Board on Feb. 25 that a proposed housing project tied to district needs is advancing with county discussions on zoning and sewer hookups and that the board will consider next steps at the second meeting in March.
"Right now, it looks like a minimum of, let's say, 30 something units, but they're trying to change the zoning to give us the 72 units," Dr. Bennett said, adding that the larger unit count would be "most beneficial for us in terms of housing and tax breaks for the corporation that would be managing it." He said the district is not proposing to be the landlord; options include leasing a property to the Desoto County Education Foundation or gifting the property to the foundation if the foundation agrees to partner.
Dr. Bennett said the nonprofit One Stop Housing is prepared to hold public workshops with county officials and the school board. He also said district staff member Mark has been communicating with county commissioners and that a county contact named Misty is handling zoning and sewer discussions.
Dr. Bennett said he will report back at the board's second March meeting with the foundation's decision and seek board guidance or approval to proceed.
The board took no formal action at the Feb. 25 meeting; the remarks were informational and set next steps for staff to report back.
