MS SC545

Erlend Nichols served as DeSoto County School District's 16th Superintendent of Education from 1992 to 1996 and died on October 22, 2012, at age 79.

Nichols led the district during a period of significant growth, with student enrollment increasing from approximately 14,000 students when elected in 1991 to 32,769 students, making DeSoto County Mississippi's largest school district.

Nichols successfully ran a 1993 bond issue that funded construction of Olive Branch High School, Southaven Middle School, Hernando Middle School, and Horn Lake Middle School to address overcrowding.

Nichols had 40 years of education experience, including teaching at Olive Branch High School starting in 1954 and serving as Assistant Superintendent for Business before becoming Superintendent.

Resolution commends Nichols' leadership and legacy, extends sympathy to his surviving family, and directs the resolution be presented to his family, the DeSoto County Board of Education, and the Capitol Press Corps.