Henley won’t resign after special meeting over controversial letter

HERNANDO, Miss. — A DeSoto County school board member at the center of a community firestorm apparently will not resign, the school district announced following a special called meeting held Friday, Oct. 17.

The meeting was held to address the fallout from a letter of support board member Michele Henley wrote for a former youth pastor convicted of sexual battery of a child.

The board convened Friday afternoon specifically to discuss what was officially listed on the agenda as a “potential litigation matter.” After quickly approving the agenda, the board members immediately voted to go into an executive session, which is closed to the public and press.

The private discussion is believed to have been centered on the intense community outrage sparked by Henley’s letter supporting Lindsey Whiteside, who was recently convicted of sexual battery involving a minor.

Following the closed-door session, the district confirmed that Henley is not stepping down from her position. This announcement came amid reports that other members of the board were, in fact, seeking her resignation over the matter.

Video of the special called meeting is available on the DeSoto County Schools YouTube page.

Here is the letter released by the school board following Friday’s special called meeting: