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Neshoba County Superintendent of Education Lundy Brantley said he was “very humbled” to be named the new president of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Association of School Administrators.
The state organization is made up of superintendents, principals, curriculum coordinators and other district level personnel.
The MASA board provides leadership in educational affairs and works on behalf of the children of Mississippi.
“We work on our legislative agenda,” Dr. Brantley said, of his duties. “Our executive director pretty much stays at the capitol for us during legislative sessions. It’s really an honor for me to lead this organization. It’s very humbling to get to do this. It’s something that I didn’t envision.”
Brantley said he was fortunate in that he gets to work with leaders in different school districts.
“It’s nice to make other connections and see what other people are doing,” he said. “It’s good to learn new and different things that could help our school district.”
Another benefit of being president is it generates good publicity for the Neshoba County School District.
“It brings good notoriety for our school district,” he said. “Plus, it gets us on the front end of some of the legislation and the different priorities that our state is looking at.”
In addition to Dr. Brantley’s appointment, the school district’s athletic director and two coaches have state board appointments as well.
Athletic director Tommy Holland represents District IV on the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s executive committee.
He is also on one of MHSAA’s district boards.
Holland said it was an honor to serve, noting that the executive committee resembles a school board.
“We are basically the governing board of MHSAA,” he said. “We listen to appeals, pass new policies, among other duties. We have a lot of input on policy decisions that affect kids, parents and athletics across the state.”
Each district board has at least one member on the executive committee, he said.
Coach Jonathan Jones is the 5A representative for District 4 on the legislative council for MHSAA and Coach Patrick Schooler is a member of the Mississippi Association of Coaches Football Committee.
Coach Jones said being on the council was an honor for him.
“The council meets two or three times a year to vote on rule changes that the different districts come up with throughout the year,” he said.
“For example, if a district wanted to play football all year, we would vote on that change. We try to do what is best for the High School Activities Association.”
Jones said being on the council is a plus for the Neshoba County School District.
“You want it for your school while you also help other schools,” he said.
Coach Schooler said the football committee meets four to five times a year to discuss pending issues for football. He is also a member of the All Star Game Committee.
“It’s fun to be among your peers,” he said. “We all share the same likes and dislikes. You have a voice to get things changed for the betterment of the association.”
Story by Debbie Burt Myers