Mansfield, LA — At its April 10, 2025, board meeting, the DeSoto Parish School Board approved a $17,158,000 capital expansion project aimed at enhancing educational facilities at North DeSoto Lower Elementary and North DeSoto Middle School. This investment reflects the district’s continued commitment to academic excellence, student safety, and preparing for future enrollment growth.
“This project is a proactive approach to meet both the current needs of students and lay a solid foundation for long-term solutions,” said DeSoto Parish School 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."
North DeSoto Lower Elementary School:
The project will include construction of a new classroom wing, playground, and covered canopy, as well as a new Administration/Library wing, and renovations to 7,160 square feet of the existing facility. A total of 35,420 square feet of new construction will be added.
North DeSoto Middle School:
North DeSoto Middle School’s expansion will see a 13,069 square-foot addition that includes new classroom space and a Band Hall, further enriching the school’s academic and extracurricular offerings.
The new classroom space will house 16 classrooms, with additional classrooms being created through the renovation of the existing space in the current buildings. Upon the completion of the project, North DeSoto 2nd-grade students will relocate to the lower elementary campus, which will help alleviate the overcrowding and student capacity at North DeSoto Upper Elementary.
This project is about meeting the immediate needs of our students and making sure we’re ready for what’s ahead,” said District 1 School Board Member Dudley Glenn. As we see continued growth in the North DeSoto communities, we must ensure our facilities grow with them. By tackling these challenges now, we’re laying the groundwork for future needs of our students and educators.”
With DeSoto Parish experiencing sustained student population growth, the expansion projects are necessary to ensure that the student-to-teacher ratio remains low, supporting individualized instruction and a nurturing learning environment. The additional classrooms will help accommodate student growth while maintaining the district’s high standards for academic performance.
"This is only the beginning phase and an early solution to a growing concern. While it doesn’t solve every challenge immediately, it allows us to tackle our most urgent priorities head-on. I am grateful that our board had the foresight to begin setting aside funds in District 2 several years ago that allow us to move forward with a project like this,” said Superintendent Clay Corley. "As our community and school district continues to grow, so must our investment in the future. I’m hopeful that our stakeholders will recognize these efforts and continue to partner with us in building a stronger, more comprehensive path forward for our students."
The Board’s approval underscores DeSoto Parish Schools’ ongoing mission to provide top-quality facilities and efficient operations that meet the educational needs of all students.