Dr. Lance Evans has been hired as Mississippi’s new State Superintendent after an extensive search by the Mississippi State Board of Education and Mississippi Department of Education.
He will assume the position on July 1.
As part of the appointment process, Evans will still need to go before the state Senate during the upcoming legislative session so his appointment can receive final approval.
SBE’s previous appointment to this position, Laurel native Dr. Robert Taylor, did not make it through the Senate confirmation process, as Taylor failed to reach a positive vote by senators.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to accept the position of State Superintendent of Mississippi,” Evans said in a press release. “My commitment to fairness, equity and innovation in education aligns seamlessly with the values of this great state. I look forward to collaborating with educators, stakeholders and communities to forge new pathways for our graduates, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”
Dr. Lance Evans
The Mississippi State Board of Education began accepting applications for a new state superintendent back in August.
Dr. Carey Wright retired in June of 2022. Wright’s replacement was initially Taylor, but after his unanimous approval by SBE in November 2022, and serving in that role from January of this year to March, the Senate declined to confirm Taylor in a 31-21 vote. Reasons for not confirming Taylor included alleged issues with the process SBE used to hire him, as previously reported by Magnolia Tribune. A PEER committee report issued prior to the confirmation hearing found the selection process SBE used lacked transparency. The vote on the Senate floor appeared to be divided along party lines, with only five Republicans backing Taylor’s appointment.
MDE officials said they did not know what Evans’ salary would be. Both Taylor and Wright received a salary of $300,000.
After the Senate declined to confirm Taylor, Mike Kent was made interim superintendent from April 3 to June 30 of this year, followed by Dr. Ray Morgigno who took over as the state’s interim superintendent beginning July 1.
According to MDE’s timeline, a new state superintendent was expected to be announced this month upon the completion of reviewing and interviewing candidates.
Evans joined the New Albany School District in 2006. He currently serves as the superintendent for the New Albany School District, a position he was appointed to in 2017. Under his leadership, that school district earned an “A” accountability grade for the 2018-19 school year, a grade the district has maintained. New Albany School District has a total of 2,134 students.
The new state superintendent has been described as innovative, community minded and committed to workforce development by other superintendents in the state. Evans previously held the role of president of Mississippi Association of School Administrators and is still serving his term as the Magnolia State’s representative on the national governing board.
Prior to his appointment to the top spot with the New Albany School District, Evans served in administrative roles such as principal and assistant principal of that district’s high school and the New Albany Elementary School. Before joining the New Albany School District, he served in the Itawamba and Oxford County School Districts as a teacher, coach and administrator.
Evans was selected as Superintendent of the Year back in October of this year.
“Dr. Evans is a visionary leader who is committed to continuously improving student achievement,” said Glen East, SBE chairman. “The board sought broad public input about the qualities and priorities the next state superintendent of education should have, and Dr. Evans meets all of our expectations.”
Evans and his wife Brandy have two children — Katie, a sophomore at Mississippi State University, and Landon, a freshman at New Albany High School. Evans and his family are members of the First Methodist Church New Albany.
McPherson and Jacobson, a national superintendent search firm based in Nebraska, conducted the search on behalf of the board. The firm also led the search last year that resulted in Taylor’s selection and oversaw this one as an extension of its initial contract. The firm received $51,200 in total for its services.
— Mississippi Today contributed
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