Bryant Signs Appointed Superintendent Bill

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has signed into law a bill that changes all public school district superintendents to appointees.

Monday’s signing of Senate Bill 2438 eliminates the election of school superintendents in all districts.

Fifty-five of the state’s 144 school districts elect their superintendents. The new law requires their school boards to appoint superintendents after their current terms end. That includes positions filled in the November 2015 general election.

Terms for appointed superintendents will last a maximum of four school years.

Mississippi School Boards Association spokesman Paul Chamblee says a majority of school boards support the law. 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.