/Switch to appointed school superintendents seen as a plus

Switch to appointed school superintendents seen as a plus

A new law that requires all local school superintendents be appointed by 2019, according to supporters, will increase the number of qualified applicants and make it more accountable. The law was signed by Governor Phil Bryant on April 11. Phil Bryant has required that all local school superintendents be appointed by their respective local school boards following Jan. 1, 2019. Bryant tweeted, “This simple act is of innovation has been long overdue.” Of the 144 Mississippi public school districts, only 55, or 38 percent, have elected superintendents. Most districts, 89 in all, have superintendents appointed or are planning to appoint them before the new deadline. Senator Gray Tollison (R-Oxford), was the principal author of the bill and chair of the Senate Education Committee. He stated that 99 percent of all superintendents in the country are appointed. Tollison stated, “It was logical that we should adopt this.” It protects superintendents’ time so that they don’t feel the pressure of campaigning every four years. It is a difficult job. It’s a hard job. Paul Chamblee is the manager of governmental relations at the Mississippi School Boards Association. He said that the association supports the appointment of all superintendents. Chamblee stated that the association felt it would broaden the pool of qualified candidates for the job. You must have the right degree, have the qualifications, and be able to live in the area to become a superintendent. Next, you have to decide whether or not to run. Chamblee said that appointing superintendents increases accountability. Chamblee stated that once you are elected, you will serve for four years. Chamblee stated that while it’s great if you do a good job, it’s not possible to get rid of a superintendent who is doing an inept job. Chamblee stated that appointed superintendents allow local school districts to set goals. “If they fail to meet those goals, then they can be removed and you will find another superintendent,” he stated. Frank Yates, Executive Director of Mississippi Association of Educators, said that he believes the appointment of superintendents is a positive thing for smaller counties, with smaller populations, who will be able hire from a larger pool of applicants. Yates said that there’s no evidence to suggest that low school ratings are due to elected or appointed superintendents. The lawmakers considered placing a three-year moratorium on salary increases for the superintendents beginning this summer and establishing a method to determine raises. The legislation was amended to require that the state Department of Education submit an annual report on how superintendents’ salaries are performance-based. Local boards are opposed to the state setting such standards. Yates stated that he believes the local school districts would better manage superintendents’ salaries. Yates also stated that a moratorium could stop some applicants applying for state superintendent positions. Yates stated that it could discourage applicants, not only in Mississippi but all across the country. D-Bay St. Louis Rep. David Baria said he was fine with appointing superintendents but voted against the House’s February bill freezing the salaries of superintendents. Baria stated that he agreed with the legislature’s decision to pay public employees. “… There was no satisfactory reason to impose the three-year moratorium upon superintendent salaries.” Alcorn County Schools District Superintendent Larry Mitchell said that he believes it is better to appoint superintendents than to elect them. Campaigning for these positions can be time-consuming and take away from school business. Mitchell also said that he doesn’t believe the state should set superintendents’ salaries. Mitchell stated, “I believe that should be up to the locale board.” Multiple requests for comment were not answered by Sam Bounds (executive director of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents). To support this important work, make a regular donation to the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents today.