Former DeSoto County School Board chair Michele Henley ousted after supporting sex offender Lindsey Whiteside, sparking backlash and a student boycott.

Michele Henley, former chair of the DeSoto County School Board, was removed from her leadership role amid backlash for supporting Lindsey Whiteside, a former youth pastor and coach who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor. Henley, who wrote a letter urging leniency in Whiteside’s sentencing, faced criticism from parents, the victim’s family, and the district attorney, who questioned whether her advocacy influenced the judge’s decision of house arrest and probation instead of a 30-year sentence. Whiteside now faces federal charges and a pretrial detention hearing on November 12. Henley remains on the board, and Jerald Wheeler was named the new chair. The controversy prompted a districtwide student boycott and calls for greater transparency and parental involvement in school governance.