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.
During public comment at the DeSoto County School District meeting, Jay Robert argued that the terms 'education' and 'indoctrination' are often conflated and framed his concerns in religious terms, urging acceptance of his faith-based conclusions. The board did not respond in open session.
During public comment, speakers urged the board to adopt a policy barring board members and staff from supporting people charged with offenses against district children; a board legal responder said state law and a recent Supreme Court decision limit what rules can be imposed on elected officials.
At its meeting the DeSoto County School District board approved multiple contracts — including athletic fencing, playground additions, hydroponic systems and E-Rate rewires — authorized payment of late invoices, and approved personnel-leave and temporary positions.
At a Sept. 17 special meeting, the Desoto County Board of Education approved several personnel actions and the hiring of Jessica Atkinson as principal of Chickasaw Elementary; Superintendent Austin also announced Principal Dr. Crystal Robinson will relocate after Christmas.
The DeSoto County Schools board approved contracts for multiple roof repair projects with Dynamic National Roofing and Renovations, authorized purchase of an activity bus for CareerTech (pending state approval), and accepted October finance reports and reconciliations.
Speakers at the Dec. 4 DeSoto County Schools board meeting demanded the resignation of board member Michelle Henley, saying she wrote a letter supporting a person who "pled guilty to ****** battery." Speakers presented courtroom evidence and asked the board to act; no response from Henley is recorded in the transcript.
The DeSoto County Schools board recognized multiple individual and team state champions in swimming and cross country, with principals and coaches introducing athletes and organizing group photos.
Trustees approved a booster-club construction donation for a soccer-field shelter, authorized a vendor payment for Southaven Middle School, adopted several policy consolidations on medication and related topics, and approved a personnel packet that includes supplements and job-description updates.
Trustees made a motion to consider entering an executive session to address litigation and related quality matters; a member indicated the board would be advised whether it should enter closed session.
