Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant last week signed into law a bill that changes all public school superintendents to appointees.
The measure eliminates the election of school superintendents in all districts. Fifty-five of the state’s 144 districts elect their superintendents. The new law requires their school boards to appoint superintendents after their current terms end.
Mississippi School Boards Association spokesman Paul Chamblee says elections meant superintendents could only be local residents who had to both be qualified and decide to run for the position. He says the new law gives school boards more options to find the best candidate.
Terri Daniels, the principal of Folsom Middle School in California, poses with National Association of Secondary School Principals President Raquel Martinez and NASSP CEO Ronn Nozo. Daniels was named the 2025 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year and recognized in Washington, D.C., on April 11.
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