The Desoto County Board of Education on Sept. 17 approved a personnel packet that included multiple reclassifications, supplemental-pay requests and the appointment of Jessica Atkinson as principal of Chickasaw Elementary.

Superintendent Mister Austin presented the superintendent’s report and announced that Dr. Crystal Robinson, principal of Chickasaw Elementary, will be relocating after the Christmas break. Austin thanked Robinson for her service, saying she “has done a great job for us as a principal” and that she was hired as a principal in 2020 at Point Lake Intermediate School and has served in the district since then.

Austin introduced Jessica Atkinson as the board’s pick to fill the Chickasaw Elementary principal position. Atkinson, introduced in the meeting, spoke to the board and audience: “I’m very appreciative of this opportunity to continue to serve BCS in this new role as principal at Chickasaw Elementary. I started at the county in December 2002 … I would like to introduce and thank some family that I have here.” She identified family members in the audience and thanked a mentor, Mr. Hickerson, for guidance.

Earlier in the meeting a district staff member presented the personnel packet in detail (pages 1–12), outlining recommendations that included reclassifying a case manager position into two part-time senior success intervention roles effective Jan. 7; requests for comp time/overtime for employees who worked during weather-related field work and during a water leak; and several supplemental-pay proposals for teachers and staff that listed start and end dates and dollar amounts (examples: $1,500 for multimedia/website work beginning Jan. 8; $2,000 supplemental stipends for certain teachers, with some assignments scheduled to run January through May). The packet also named multiple personnel changes and memos for administrative review.

The board voted to approve the personnel recommendations after Superintendent Austin recommended approval. The transcript records affirmative votes on the motions (members responded “Aye” during roll-call/voice affirmations).

The special meeting concluded after a motion and second to adjourn; the board set its next meeting for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at 3 p.m.

Details not specified in the meeting record: which board member moved or seconded individual motions by name, and any individual vote-by-name roll call beyond the assembled verbal affirmations.