DeSoto County school board approves contracts, calendar and financial statements; staff praised for winter response
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Summary
The DeSoto County School District board approved the agenda and a bundle of consent items including construction contracts for school renovations and athletic-field drainage, adopted the 2026–27 academic calendar and accepted December financial statements. The superintendent recognized facilities staff for winter-storm preparedness and cleanup.
The DeSoto County School District board voted to approve a slate of routine and capital items at its regular meeting, including architectural and construction contracts, adoption of the district's 2026'27 academic calendar and acceptance of December financial statements.
Board members approved a request to retain Allen and Coleshill for architectural services on a ball-field drainage improvement at Southaven High School. Staff reported six bids opened Jan. 20 for a restroom renovation at Olive Branch Middle School and recommended awarding that contract to Murphy and Sons Incorporated; the board approved the award. Staff also reported three bids for theater upgrades at Olive Branch Middle and recommended the lowest responsive bid; the board approved that award as well. Procurement staff noted bidders and opening dates in the record.
Wendy Michael, director of academic support, and teacher advisory council members presented the proposed 2026'27 academic calendar, which staff said totals 180 student days and includes scheduled staff-development and report-card dates. The board approved the calendar to be recognized March 5.
Finance staff reported December revenues and expenditures, noting general-fund revenues for December at about $135 million (1% higher than FY25) and all-funds revenues of roughly $154 million (down about 4% from FY25). Staff attributed year-to-year changes in part to the depletion of ESSER funds. The board approved the combined balance sheet and cash-flow statements for December and certified bank reconciliations.
The superintendent used his report to recognize the facilities team for preparations before and cleanup after recent winter storms. Facilities lead Jerry White described preventive steps such as draining exterior hoses and preparing heating systems and said the district engaged multiple vendors for cleanup, which took several days. "We nailed these vendors down early," White said during his remarks.
Several routine items also passed: approval of the meeting agenda, minutes from the Jan. 21 meeting, and the consent agenda items A'W. The board concluded the open meeting by voting to consider entering an executive session for personnel contract matters, residency appeals and discipline appeals.
The board did not take public action on personnel or residency appeals in open session; next procedural steps are to resume with the executive-session consideration and any future public actions will be announced following that closed proceeding.