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DeSoto board approves facility namings, will put proposal to name high‑school field for Supt. Bobby Bennett on next agenda
Summary
The DeSoto County School Board approved several routine items and naming actions Dec. 2025, recorded two abstentions on items involving potential conflicts, and agreed to place a formal proposal to name DeSoto High School’s football field for Superintendent Bobby Bennett on the next regular meeting agenda for public advertisement.
The DeSoto County School Board on Tuesday approved routine minutes and contracts and agreed to carry a formal naming proposal to its next regular meeting so it can be advertised as required by state statute.
At the meeting, the board approved action item 12‑11 (the naming of high‑school facilities) by voice vote with four members in favor and one abstention; Dr. Goodman was recorded as the abstaining member. The board also approved item 12‑14 (a Foundations for Learning services contract) with one abstention: Miss Chancey said she would abstain because the contract involves her daughter.
Dr. Goodman used public board comment to propose naming the new DeSoto High School football field the “Dr. Bobby Bennett Field,” describing Bennett’s decades in education and leadership in securing the new campus. “I would like to propose that the new DeSoto High School football field be named for Doctor Bobby Bennett,” Dr. Goodman said. The board voted 5‑0 to place that proposal on the next regular board meeting agenda so it can be formally advertised and considered.
The board handled the motions in a single session of votes and procedural steps: moving pulled items back onto the agenda, considering them individually, and recording abstentions where conflicts were disclosed.
Votes at a glance
• Adopt superintendent’s agenda — Motion by Dr. Goodman; second Miss Mercer. Outcome: approved 5‑0.
• Approve minutes — Motion by Miss Mercer; outcome: approved 5‑0 (year discrepancy in attachments noted and corrected to 2025).
• Amend item 12‑17 to add Dr. Alan Reeser — Outcome: approved 5‑0.
• Action item 12‑11 (naming of high‑school facilities) — Motion by Miss Mercer; second Miss Chancey. Outcome: approved, 4 yes / 0 no / 1 abstain (Dr. Goodman).
• Action item 12‑14 (Foundations for Learning contract) — Motion by Dr. Goodman; second Mrs. Mott. Outcome: approved, 4 yes / 0 no / 1 abstain (Miss Chancey).
• Motion to place field‑naming proposal on next regular meeting agenda — Motion by Dr. Goodman; second Miss Chancey. Outcome: approved 5‑0.
Board members emphasized adherence to required procedure before a facility is formally renamed: the chair noted the naming must be advertised “as declared by state statute” before final approval. The board scheduled the formal consideration at the next regular meeting in January to allow required public notice.
The meeting concluded with additional naming acknowledgments, reminders about upcoming ethics training and board certification points, and general holiday messages. The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.
