March 28, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) today announced Dr. Carey M. Wright, state superintendent of education, will join its 2015-2016 Board of Directors.
CCSSO's Board of Directors manages the overall business affairs of the Council and is the governing body of the organization. The board is composed of the president, the president-elect, the past president, and six directors elected by CCSSO members.
CCSSO is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.
"Dr. Wright brings a valuable breadth of experience in education that will benefit CCSSO's board, as it has the students of Mississippi. We are honored to have her join our Board of Directors,” said Chris Minnich, executive director of CCSSO.
Prior to her current post, Wright served as the Chief Academic Officer for the District of Columbia Public Schools as well as the Deputy Chief for the Office of Teaching and Learning. From 2003 to 2009, Wright served as the Associate Superintendent for the Office of Special Education and Student Services for the Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. In her capacity as associate superintendent she was responsible for student services for 150,000 students and special education programming for 17,000 students with disabilities, managing a budget of $325 million, and much more.
Wright spent the majority of her career in Maryland's Howard County Public Schools, where she was a teacher, a principal for 15 years, and the director of special education and student services.
“I am honored to serve on the Board and proud to be working with my colleagues at CCSSO as we address educational issues critical to the success of all students,” Wright said.
Here is a full list of CCSSO's 2015-2016 Board of Directors:
* President Tony Evers (WI)
* President-Elect Melody Schopp (SD)
* Past-President June Atkinson (NC)
* Virginia Barry (NH)
* Brenda Cassellius (MN)
* Randy Dorn (WA)
* Michael Martirano (WV)
* Hanna Skandera (NM)
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519