MASS Fuels Momentum with New Board of Directors
Education leaders focus on advancing public education
JACKSON ― In keeping with its 55-year tradition of leadership and advocacy, the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents has announced a new slate of directors who plan set a bold agenda for 2024-25 to advance public education.
Established in 1969, MASS is a leading advocate for improved public schools and supports professional development for Mississippi’s education leaders through high-quality training and mentoring programs. By appointing board members from school districts statewide, MASS ensures that all regions are represented and have a voice in shaping the future of public education in Mississippi.
“Our board comprises veteran leaders who have dedicated their lives and careers to building a better future for students served by Mississippi’s public schools,” said Dr. Phil Burchfield, executive director of MASS. “A combination of new and returning board members provides strong levels of continuity, experience and energy to achieve important goals for the future.”
Leading the board as president is Jessie King, superintendent, Leland School District. He is joined at the executive level by president-elect Tyler Hansford, superintendent, Union School District; secretary Christie Holly, superintendent, Tishomingo County School District; treasurer Alan Lumpkin, superintendent, Scott County School District; and past president Todd English, superintendent, Booneville School District.
District representatives are superintendents Brandon Quinn, Alcorn County School District; Tony Elliot, South Tippah School District; Virginia Young, Coahoma County School District; Janice Monroe, Greenville Public School District; Sam Allison, Lowndes County School District; Scott Rimes, Rankin County School District; Jay Smith, North Pike School District; Roderick Henderson, Brookhaven School District; Tommy Branch, Wayne County School District; and Taliah Lock, Long Beach School District.
At-large members include superintendents Mario Willis, Hollandale School District; Regina Biggers, Benton County School District; Wade Whitney, George County School District; Lawrence Hudson, Western Line School District; and Toriano Holloway, Vicksburg-Warren School District.
Board members meet several times a year to set the association’s goals and priorities and identify legislative issues of interest to Mississippi’s public education system. By proactively engaging with members of the State Legislature, the Mississippi Department of Education and other groups, MASS ensures that the statewide education community has input into legislation that impacts public schools.
Through its outreach and coalition-building efforts, MASS has successfully advocated for higher teacher pay, stronger certification standards, improved hiring and recruiting practices, and other strategies to strengthen Mississippi’s teacher workforce.
“MASS has proven what can be accomplished when education leaders work together to create a better future for Mississippi,” said Jessie King, board president. “We believe it all starts with having a world-class education system, and that’s the vision that will guide our actions and decisions throughout the coming year.”
The Mississippi Association of School Superintendents and the Alliance of Educational Leaders of Mississippi is a non-profit association whose membership is made up of 139 public school superintendents and more than 2,000 public school administrators. Its mission is to provide resources, advocacy, leadership, policy information, training, support, renewal, and public relations services that improve the quality of public education.