JACKSON - The Mississippi Association of School Superintendents Board of Directors is preparing leaders for new era of public education with a renewed focus on excellence, leadership development and student success for the 2026-27 school year.
For nearly 60 years, MASS has served as a leading voice for public education, offering year-round training, mentoring and advocacy for school leaders and ensuring Mississippi's educators are equipped to move the state's school systems forward.
New board members approved during the association's recent summer convention in Biloxi represent districts from every region, ensuring diverse input and unified action to advance the future of Mississippi's public schools.
"The challenges facing public education continue to evolve, and our board is committed to ensuring Mississippi's school leaders are prepared to meet them," said Phil Burchfield, executive director of MASS. "This group brings experience, vision and a commitment to excellence that supports students, educators and communities across our state. Together, we will continue to position public education for long-term success."
Leading the board as president is Christie Holly, superintendent of Tishomingo County School District. She is joined at the executive level by president-elect Cory Uselton, superintendent of DeSoto County School District; secretary Lawrence Hudson, superintendent of Western Line School District; treasurer Todd English, superintendent of Booneville School District; and past president Tyler Hansford, superintendent of Union Public School District.
District representatives are superintendents Chris Fleming, Senatobia Municipal School District; Windy Faulkner, Union County School District; Lisa Bramuchi, Cleveland Public School District; Adrian Hammitte, Jefferson County School District; Hilute Hudson, Kemper County School District; Amy Carter, Meridian Public School District; Jay Smith, North Pike School District; Andy Schoggan, Clinton Public School District; and William Bentz, Harrison County School District.
At-large members include superintendents Brock Puckett, Pontotoc County School District; Irene Walton Turnage, Holly Springs School District; Phil Webb, Pontotoc City School District; Nadene Arrington, East Jasper School District; and Will Russell, Leake County School District.
Board members are actively engaged through regular meetings, professional development and mentoring opportunities. By building strong relationships with lawmakers and policymakers, News Release MASS ensures that educators across Mississippi have an influential voice in shaping legislation that affects public schools.
MASS leaders emphasize that Shape Tomorrow is not a standalone campaign'it represents a long-term directional shift in how education leadership approaches workforce readiness, public trust and the future of teaching in Mississippi.
Through strategic partnerships and sustained advocacy, MASS has played a key role in advancing initiatives that elevate Mississippi's teaching profession - including efforts to raise teacher salaries, enhance certification requirements and improve recruitment and retention.
"MASS has always played a critical role in bringing education leaders together around a shared mission," said Holly. "As we look toward the coming school year, our focus is on preparing schools for the future by strengthening leadership, supporting teachers and ensuring every student has access to meaningful opportunities for success."
The Mississippi Association of School Superintendents and the Alliance of Educational Leaders of Mississippi are a non-profit association whose membership is made up of 139 public school superintendents and more than 2,000 public school administrators. Their mission is to equip and support Mississippi's education leaders through advocacy, professional development, policy guidance and strategic collaboration that strengthens public schools statewide.