HERNANDO, Miss. (AP) - DeSoto County Schools grew by 400-plus students this year, helping the district maintain its status as Mississippi's largest public school district.

The 2012-13 K-12 enrollment climbed to 32,759 students, up from 32,311 students last year.

Superintendent Milton Kuykendall tells The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/R5ZblP ) the district hired 47 new teachers, mainly to fill position in middle schools. Of the 47 teachers, 15 were hired to keep up with the district's growing enrollment.

Of the district's 42 schools, DeSoto Central High in Southaven saw the biggest gain, 75 students, for a total of 1,595. It was closely followed by Lake Cormorant Middle with 74 new students for a total of 801.

Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com

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