Start of school information for DeSoto County Schools
July 29, 2025 – Here’s some information to consider as school children head back to class in the DeSoto County School District (DCS) on Thursday, July 31.
Schools will have the same arrival and dismissal times as they had last year and that information is available on their specific school website and on the district website.
“We are excited to see our students returning to campus,” said Supt. Cory Uselton. “We have been planning for this moment for several months, and we can’t wait to see everyone back at school.”
Every campus again this year will have a School Resource Officer, which DCS pays over $4.2 million annually for, or $70,000 per officer. Each officer is an employee of their law enforcement agency, whether that be the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, or police departments in Olive Branch and Hernando.
Students must be residents of DeSoto County and ordinances are in place that provide legal consequences for those who offer fraudulent residency information to school officials.
Out of county car tags may initiate an investigation into residency, but those tags cannot be considered a requirement to residency. Providing fraudulent addresses or providing bus stops where out of county car tags are present. The district has a sub-section under the “Parents” section on its website where concerns about a child’s correct residency may be reported.
Uselton urged patience on the part of parents and students in the first days of the school year as everyone gets adjusted to the schedule.
“There is a lot of excitement, but it will take a few days to get everyone in a regular routine,” Uselton said. “This often causes delays in car rider lines and afternoon bus arrivals. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we begin this new school year.”
Uselton said he and his staff, administrators and teachers are looking forward to the year ahead.
“Our teachers, administrators, and support staff have been working hard this week in preparation for the upcoming school year, and they are excited to meet their new students,” he said.
Lewisburg Freshman Academy being built
Lewisburg High School is in the beginning stages of an addition that will become a Freshman Academy, similar to additions currently used at DeSoto Central and Southaven high schools.
The two-story building will have at least 25 classrooms and will be attached to the current high school building. It is scheduled to be completed in July 2026 and should be ready for use by the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.
DCS plans millage reduction
Start of school information has also indicated the district plans to reduce its millage request with the new state requirement to assess property more closely to true market value. The millage reduction is expected to match last year’s local revenue request plus funding designated by the state government in the new state funding formula for schools. The millage decrease request should lessen the tax burden for the school portion of the property tax bill.
DCS teachers remain among the highest paid in Mississippi and the district plans another local supplement increase to tag on to increases the past four years.
At the same time, reductions in federal funding are facing DCS and budget adjustments will be forthcoming as necessary, but student and staff needs remain a priority.
