Uselton updates business leaders at Chamber luncheon
Aug. 20, 2025 – DeSoto County Schools Superintendent Cory Uselton addressed local business and community leaders at the Southaven Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly luncheon, held Wednesday at the new DeSoto County Agri-Education Center. Uselton’s speech, which he said was a combination of leadership insights and an update on the state’s largest school district, highlighted the district’s collaborative spirit, fiscal responsibility, and top priorities of safety, academics, and extracurricular activities.
“We want to lead the way in everything that we do,” Uselton said, explaining the title of his presentation. He emphasized the importance of community partnerships, acknowledging the presence of local government officials, law enforcement, and business leaders. He noted that the district, with an enrollment of approximately 34,200 students, is the largest unified school district in Mississippi.
“We are a unified school district, and that’s one thing that I love about DeSoto County Schools,” he said. “Everyone in DeSoto County is behind the school district.”
Uselton detailed the district’s financial investments, particularly in local teacher supplements. He highlighted that since 2021, the school board has increased teacher pay by a total of $3,720, with a $1,000 increase this year. The local supplement now stands at $7,700, bringing a first-year teacher’s salary to $49,200. He called this a “$23 million investment each year that we are putting in there with the local tax money.”
A significant portion of the superintendent’s speech was dedicated to school safety, which he called the district’s “top priority.” He proudly announced that every school campus has a nurse and that the number of uniformed, licensed School Resource Officers has grown to 59.
“We can’t put a price tag on safety,” Uselton said, noting the $4.2 million investment in the SRO program. He stressed that the officers are on campus to build relationships and prevent problems, not just to enforce the law.
Uselton also touched on academic achievements, mentioning the district’s history of receiving an “A” rating from the Mississippi Department of Education since 2016. He said the district’s focus extends beyond test scores to preparing students for life after high school through initiatives like dual credit and AP classes, which many students in attendance have already taken.
The event also included the graduation of the Southaven Chamber of Commerce Bridge Academy. The program, sponsored by the Southaven Chamber Foundation, is designed to certify participants in critical thinking for career development. Graduates were recognized for their completion of the program, which focuses on comprehensive leadership development, community engagement, and civic awareness.
