State Board Names New State Superintendent of Education

September 25, 2013

JACKSON, Miss. – Today the Mississippi Board of Education named Dr. Carey Wright, founder and CEO of Wright Approach Consulting in Maryland and a 36-year veteran administrator and teacher, as the new state superintendent of education.

Wright will lead the Mississippi Department of Education, effective Nov. 1. The selection came after the Board interviewed five finalists on Sept. 24 from a list of 11 semi-finalists from several states, including Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

“The Board felt that Dr. Wright possessed all of the qualities we were seeking in the next state superintendent of education. She has a track record of strong leadership, instructional expertise and a commitment to ensuring all students achieve at high levels,” said Hal Gage, Board vice chairman and chair of the search process. “Mississippi has made great strides in improving education over the last few years, and we believe we have selected the right person to build on this achievement.”

Wright has spent the majority of her career in Maryland, which ranked first in the nation for five consecutive years, based on the 2013 Quality Counts report on educational quality. She has served as the associate superintendent for special education and student services in Montgomery County Public Schools and as the chief academic officer of the District of Columbia Public Schools.

“I feel there’s a tremendous amount of untapped potential in the state. My background and experience are what drew me to apply for this position. I am honored to be selected as the next State Superintendent and am committed to doing whatever is necessary to create the finest educational system in our nation.  The students of Mississippi deserve nothing less,” Wright said.

Dr. O. Wayne Gann, chairman of the Board, said he looks forward to working with Wright on the Board’s ambitious plan for creating a top-notch educational system in the state. He also thanked Dr. Lynn J. House for her service over the last 15 months as interim state superintendent, and prior to that, as deputy superintendent of instructional enhancement and internal operations.

“Lynn has done an outstanding job of implementing the Board’s goals as the interim superintendent. Her tremendous leadership skills, keen insight as both an administrator and teacher, and her devotion to public education have been invaluable, and the Board greatly appreciates her work,” Gann said.

Following the Board’s appointment, House announced her intention to retire from the Mississippi Department of Education. She is currently weighing her options so that she can remain active in education. House will continue to serve as interim superintendent until Wright assumes the responsibilities.

“It has been an honor to serve the state as interim superintendent. It was a wonderful opportunity to work with superintendents, school board members, administrators and teachers in support of  the hard work taking place in classrooms around the state,” House said. “I pledge my total commitment to assisting Dr. Wright with a smooth transition.”
 

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Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706 

Jean Cook, APR
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