June 4th Budget Hearing Desoto County School Board Meeting

The DeSoto County Schools Board of Education held a budget hearing on June 4th, 2026, to present and discuss the financial budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The budget presentation highlighted a total revenue of approximately $444.6 million, an increase of $8.5 million over the previous year, primarily due to teacher and teacher assistant pay raises and additional Chickasaw funds. Expenditures were budgeted at about $555.4 million, reflecting a $52.4 million increase largely driven by a newly approved $60 million bond resolution for capital projects and pay raises. The board discussed maintaining a stable millage rate without increases, reallocating millage for one year, and addressing rising costs such as utilities, fuel, and unfunded mandates including gas line inspections. Key budget priorities included sustaining classroom instruction, supporting staff salaries, facility maintenance, and educational investments such as new textbooks and additional support personnel. The board acknowledged the collaborative effort in budget preparation and planned to adopt the budget on June 22, 2026.