New Miss. Law Eliminates Election of School Chiefs

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.

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