Mississippi finally has a new superintendent of education.
On Thursday, the Senate voted to confirm the appointment of Dr. Lance Evans after the longtime educator was named to the post in December. Evans will officially begin his role on July 1, ending a nearly two-year stint without a permanent superintendent.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to accept the position of state superintendent of Mississippi,” Evans said following the State Board of Education’s decision to hire him. “My commitment to fairness, equity, and innovation in education aligns seamlessly with the values of this great state.”
Evans has spent the last 24 years working in various roles within education, most recently serving as superintendent of the New Albany School District. Within two years of taking over the job, he helped the district achieve its first-ever A-rating in 2018-19.
Prior to his time as district superintendent, Evans was the principal at New Albany High School, working his way up from principal of the local elementary school. He has also held the positions of teacher, coach, and administrator in the Oxford and Itawamba school districts.
“Dr. Evans is a visionary leader who is committed to continuously improving student achievement,” SBE chairman Glen East said. “The board sought broad public input about the qualities and priorities the next superintendent should have, and Dr. Evans meets all of our expectations.”
Evans’ confirmation comes after what’s been a whirlwind of a time trying to find a new superintendent of education following Dr. Carey Wright’s retirement in 2022. Originally, the SBE released plans to name Dr. Robert Taylor as the next superintendent, but the Senate ultimately denied with some claiming “race played a role” in the decision.
Since then, the state’s public school system has gone through two interim leaders with Ray Morgigno filling in since July 1, 2023.
