Dr. Lundy Brantley was named Mississippi’s Superintendent of the Year today during the annual meeting and leadership conference of the Mississippi Association of School Administrators. At the presentation are, from left, Neshoba County Assistant Superintendent Tommy Holland, Work-based Learning Coordinator Dana McLain, Neshoba Elementary Principal Tiffany Plott, Brantley, Neshoba Middle School Principal Jacob Drury, Neshoba High School Principal Jason Gentry, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Penny Hill and School Board member Davis Fulton.
Dr. Lundy Brantley was named Mississippi’s Superintendent of the Year today during the annual meeting and leadership conference of the Mississippi Association of School Administrators at The Refuge Hotel & Conference Center in Flowood.
He will go on to compete on the national level and be recognized during the National Conference on Education later this year in San Antonio.
Brantley is in his sixth year at the helm of the Neshoba County School District.
After being nominated for the award, Brantley had to complete a lengthy application process which included a short video showing his and his school district’s many accomplishments.
He described the honor as a “Neshoba Central team” award.
“I’m excited about it,” Dr. Brantley said. “I’m very humbled. It’s really a team award. I’m receiving it but it’s really the whole district’s award. It recognizes the achievements of all our people here. It says a lot about our district. It says a lot about what we are doing here and what we are trying to do.”
Dr. Ronnie McGehee, MASA executive director, was excited over Dr. Brantley’s “service and leadership in Neshoba County and his willingness to share his practical experiences in his time as the leader” of Neshoba County Schools.
“Dr. Brantley serves on several committees across our state and he gains a National View of Educational leadership as a member of our National Affiliate, the American Association of School Administrators. We congratulate Dr. Brantley as well as his staff and communities that he leads in Neshoba County,” Dr. McGehee said.
For the first time in Neshoba Central’s long and rich history, the county school district earned an “A” accountability grade for the 2021-22 school year under Brantley’s leadership.
Neshoba Elementary and Neshoba Middle schools were individually rated an ‘A’ while the high school received a high ‘B’ grade.
Neshoba Middle School was ranked number six in the state while the high school was in the top 20 in acceleration.
In his application for the state superintendent award, Brantley said the Neshoba School District “lives out our mission in day-to-day practice by developing every student intellectually, emotionally and physically in a safe environment. The district’s vision is that all students graduate college and career ready with courses, certifications and external opportunities beyond a high school diploma.”
The Neshoba County School District’s has an enrollment of 3,035 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Also highlighted in the application were memberships and offices held in professional organizations; professional development activities; publications/articles/presentations; community leadership; honors and awards; communication; and professionalism and community involvement, among other areas.
Glen Beard, superintendent of Choctaw County School District, who nominated Brantley for the award, described him as a “high energy, go-getter type of person” in everything he does.
“He has an infectious personality that makes everyone around him better,” Beard said. “He attacks every day with zeal and tenacity. This mindset has been transferred throughout the school district and he has made Neshoba County School District one of the top in the state!”
Brantley’s term as president of MASA came to an end at the conference. He moved to the past president position. He is also Mississippi’s representative on the national governing board.
Dr. Brantley was appointed Neshoba County Superintendent of Education in July 2017. Prior to that, he was superintendent of Union Public School District, high school principal at Pearl Public School District, high school and junior high principal at Wester County School District and elementary principal at Neshoba County School District.
He holds an associate’s degree from East Central Community College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s, specialist and doctorate from Mississippi State University.
He is active in numerous professional and community organizations.