HERNANDO, Miss. — Students in DeSoto County are returning to school Thursday, marking the start of a new academic year in the Magnolia State.

DeSoto County Schools Superintendent Cory Uselton expressed excitement about the new school year as students and teachers prepare to return to classrooms. The district has been preparing for this day with visits to campuses and discussions with educators to ensure a successful start.

“We’ve sent the bell times home to parents,” said Uselton. “And, those first few days in Hernando might be a little different because there will be, you know, different traffic flow and things of that nature.”

The district has experienced significant growth, particularly in Hernando, where there has been a 25% increase in population over the last 10 years. This growth necessitated the construction of a new Hernando High School, which has helped alleviate overcrowding on elementary campuses and provided room for future expansion.

In addition to the new high school, Superintendent Uselton mentioned that new projects are underway at several campuses, including Lewisburg High and Center Hill, although specific details about these projects were not provided.

Parents are encouraged to visit the district’s website for important information regarding school supply lists, transportation, and other back-to-school essentials.

As students return to school in DeSoto County, the district is poised to accommodate growth and continue providing quality education. The new facilities and ongoing projects signal a commitment to meeting the needs of the community.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WREG. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WREG staff before being published.