School board votes to grandfather current MDM transfer students, provide one year of transportation

The DeSoto Parish School Board voted to grandfather students currently attending under majority-to-minority (MDM) transfers and to provide transportation for one school year as the district phases out the program.

Board discussion centered on three options presented by district staff: immediate return to home attendance zones with immediate termination of transportation; indefinite grandfathering (allowing students to continue through their full feeder pattern); and a compromise to grandfather current students only through specified breakpoint grades while providing transportation for one upcoming school year. District staff said roughly 160 students currently attend under MDM transfers (114 to North DeSoto and 46 to Stanley) and that the district spends about $450,000 annually to transport those students.

At the meeting, the staff presenter outlined operational and fiscal implications of each path and described the third option as a middle ground that limits disruption for students nearing graduation while creating a defined transition. A board member who moved the measure said the proposal sought to minimize harm to students already close to graduation and allow families time to plan; the motion was seconded by another board member. The board voted by show of hands and the chair declared the motion passed.

Supporters said the one-year transportation period would give families and administrators time to respond and would protect students who have already planned for events such as ring ceremonies and graduation. Several board members noted the $450,000 annual transport cost as a factor in choosing a phased approach; others cautioned that stopping transportation does not automatically eliminate all bus routes or produce immediate cost savings because riders would need alternate transportation and some runs could be redistributed.

The board directed staff to notify affected families and to create web and written guidance describing the transition and its timelines. The motion as recorded in the transcript did not include a roll-call or numerical vote tally; the outcome was announced by the chair as approved by show of hands.

Next steps: district staff said it will publish transition guidance, send letters to families on MDM transfers, and provide administrative support to principals and families during the transition.