Multiple public commenters urge DeSoto County Schools board to seek accountability after letter supporting convicted predator

Several members of the public used the board’s public-comment period May 7 to demand accountability from a named board member and to press the district for clearer policies on child protection and mandatory reporting.

Pam Ketram, identifying herself as a grandmother of a victim, said she has repeatedly urged the board to seek accountability and announced she is launching a nonprofit to support adults who were victimized as children. She asked what policies the board is putting in place about mandatory reporting and how the district supports victims and trains teachers.

Katie Sassa directly challenged the board over a board member’s decision to write a letter supporting a convicted predator. Sassa said that the board member’s public letter has ‘ruined’ that member’s legacy and that community members have repeatedly asked the member to resign. She told the board she would continue to press for resignation until the member steps down.

Tyler Willjohn, another speaker during the public-comment period, referenced forthcoming state sentencing changes tied to House Bill 525 and Mississippi Code 97-3-101, saying that a statutory fix effective July 1, 2026, will impose minimum sentences for people convicted in positions of trust.

Board response: The superintendent and other board members repeatedly said they are willing to meet with commenters and review concerns. The superintendent said many of the specific matters raised relate to individual students or personnel and therefore cannot be publicly discussed, but affirmed a willingness to meet privately with commenters and to continue looking at mandatory-reporting practices.

No formal action: The board did not vote on removal or formal discipline of any member during the public session; the public commenters asked for additional transparency and policy changes but the board limited public discussion of student-specific and personnel matters.