The DeSoto Parish School Board has greenlit a major $17.1 million capital expansion project for North DeSoto Lower Elementary and North DeSoto Middle School, marking a significant investment in the future of education across the growing district.
Approved during the Board’s April 10 meeting, the $17,158,000 initiative is designed to address both current needs and anticipated future growth in the North DeSoto area, while maintaining the district’s commitment to academic excellence, student safety, and enhanced learning environments.
“This project is a proactive approach to meet both the current needs of students and lay a solid foundation for long-term solutions,” said Board President Donnie Dufour. “Our responsibility as a Board is to ensure that every student has access to safe, high-quality learning environments. This project moves us forward in a big way.”
Key Highlights of the Expansion
North DeSoto Lower Elementary School
New Construction: 35,420 square feet of new facilities
Additions: Classroom wing, playground, covered canopy, new Administration/Library wing
Renovations: 7,160 square feet of updates to existing facilities
North DeSoto Middle School
Addition: 13,069 square feet including 16 new classrooms and a Band Hall
Purpose: Expanded academic space and enhanced extracurricular support
One of the key impacts of this expansion will be the relocation of 2nd-grade students to the lower elementary campus, alleviating overcrowding at North DeSoto Upper Elementary and improving campus balance.
“This project is about meeting the immediate needs of our students and making sure we’re ready for what’s ahead,” said District 1 Board Member Dudley Glenn. “As we see continued growth in the North DeSoto communities, we must ensure our facilities grow with them.”
With steady enrollment increases across the parish, the expansion is aimed at preserving the district’s favorable student-to-teacher ratios, thereby supporting individualized instruction and sustaining a strong educational environment.
Superintendent Clay Corley emphasized the long-term strategy behind the project, thanking the Board for its foresight. “While it doesn’t solve every challenge immediately, it allows us to tackle our most urgent priorities head-on,” Corley said. “Our community is growing, and so must our investment in the future. I’m hopeful our stakeholders will continue to support us in building a stronger, more comprehensive path forward for our students.”
This expansion marks just the beginning of broader efforts to accommodate growth while enhancing educational infrastructure. The DeSoto Parish School Board remains committed to its mission of providing high-quality facilities and ensuring operational efficiency for all schools in the district.