Safe rooms approved for six DeSoto Co. Schools | Schools

Mississippi is not taking their chances with dangerous weather.

Six DeSoto County schools have been approved for stand alone safe rooms that are built to withstand tornados.

Grants from the federal emergency management agency and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency are covering 95 percent of the $8 million total.

That leaves the county on the hook for only $405,000.

Superintendent Milton Kuykendall said it's a small price to pay for added safety.

"It is a win win for Desoto County. Our children win because we can get them all in case of a tornado we can use them for physical education we can use them for facilities," said Kuykendall.

Hernando Elementary, Horn Lake Elementary, Lewisburg Elementary, Olive Branch Elementary, Walls Elementary and Hope Sullivan Elementary will house the safe rooms.

Construction will start this spring and should take about a year.