Cecil J. Lizana, Sr. (pictured right), board member of the Pass Christian School District, was elected President of the Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) for the 2022-2023 school year on November 15th by the MSBA Delegate Assembly.

The Delegate Assembly, a group representing school board members from across Mississippi, also elected the following to serve as 2022-2023 Executive Officers:

• Vice President — Delores McNair, Board President, Hattiesburg Public School District
• Secretary-Treasurer — Danny Cowart, Board President, Simpson County School District
• Past President — Leroy Matthews, Jr., Board Member, Quitman County School District

"I would like to say thank you for the vote of confidence from the members of the Mississippi school districts," said new president, Cecil J. Lizana, Sr. "Thank you for believing in me. To represent MSBA is truly an honor. Hearing all the positive things each district is doing for the students in Mississippi makes me proud to be a part of this team's mission!"

President Lizana appointed four directors to serve one-year terms. New appointees are Shelia Riley, DeSoto County; Alvin Smith, Wayne County; Verna Hunter, North Panola; and Sondra Odom, Pearl.

In addition to the presidential appointees, the following MSBA Board Members have been selected to represent their respective districts:

• District 2 (2022-2024) — Jamelda Fulton, Western Line; Jan Vaughn, Greenville; and Evelyn Murray, Leland
• District 3 (2021-2023) — Etta Taplin, North Pike
• District 4 (2022-2024) — Amy Dobson, Jackson County; W. Barkley Henderson, George County; and Jerry Frazier, Pearl River County

"Congratulations to President Lizana, Vice-President McNair, Secretary-Treasurer Cowart, and the new directors,” said Denotris R. Jackson, M.Ed., MSBA Executive Director. “The Board of Directors plays a significant role in executing MSBA’s mission. Their governance expertise strengthens MSBA’s ability to advocate for public school students and provide resources to our members.”

The MSBA Board of Directors currently has 20 members.

Thank you all who attended the MSBA Fall Leadership Conference on November 14-15, 2022, at the Hilton Jackson in Jackson MS! We are so glad you could join us and make it a successful Conference.

If you have not already, please take a moment to help us improve future conferences by filling out the evaluation here. Your feedback means much to us!

Presentations from the Conference can be found on our website under "Conference Files", here.

To view photos from the Conference, click here.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the MSBA 51st Annual Conference on February 20-22, 2023, at the Hilton Jackson in Jackson, MS! Complete details will be coming soon.

Thank you again for being part of such a wonderful Conference!

The Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) will host the Risk Seminar, on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at the MSBA in Ridgeland, MS. This year, the Risk Seminar is complimentary!

Nothing is more important to school districts than the safety and well-being of their students and staff. Come prepared to hear from experts about:

• School Security
• Accident Investigation
• Cyber Security
• EEOC
• Public Records Request
• And much more! 

SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS

James Brinson

Mississippi Office of Homeland Security

Roy E. Hadley, Jr.

Adams and Reese, LLP

Steve Boudreaux

Mississippi Trucking Association

Casey D. Younger, Sr.

Wilkins Patterson Smith Pumphrey & Stephenson, P.A.

Anissa Young

Mississippi School Boards Association

WHEN

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE

Mississippi School Boards Association

380 Zurich Drive

Ridgeland, MS 39157

REGISTRATION

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.



The Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) is proud to announce the 2023 Student Essay and Speaking Contest for 11th and 12th grade students in Mississippi school districts. 

One winner will be selected from each Mississippi Congressional District. Each winner will receive a $1,000 award. Winners will present their speech in-person or via video at the MSBA Annual Conference on February 21-22, 2023.

The deadline to enter the contest is 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.

Please share with teachers and students who might be interested!

For complete details, click here. To download the flier, click here.  

The Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) will host the COSSBA Inaugural National Conference, on March 30-April 2, 2023, in Tampa, Florida.

For more information about the Urban Boards Alliance Day, March 30, 2023, click here. For more information about the Conference, March 31-April 2, 2023, click here.

The Basic Course for New School Board Members will be presented over two days at the Mississippi School Boards Association Office and Training Complex in Ridgeland, MS. Topics include:

• Roles and Responsibilities
• Policies, Agendas, and Minutes  
• Legal Issues in Education
• District Finances
• Ethics
• And more

Why new school board members must take the 12-Hour Basic Course:

As required by MS Code Section 37-7-306, new school board members must complete the Basic Course within six months of their election / appointment to the school board. Failure to do so could result in removal from office.

DETAILS

January 13-14, 2023

MSBA Building, Ridgeland, MS

March 24-25, 2023

MSBA Building, Ridgeland, MS 

June 9-10, 2023

MSBA Building, Ridgeland, MS 

BOARD MEMBER PROFILE

Please fill out the Board Member Profile here.

REGISTRATION

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Space is limited.

Personnel Performance, EEPL, Terminations,

Job Descriptions, Personnel Contracts

Does the Education Employment Procedures Law (EEPL) leave you confused and searching for answers? This seminar will reveal best practices for reducing legal liabilities related to termination notices, employee contracts, and revocation/suspension of teacher and administrator licenses for sexual misconduct. Learn what you need to know about EEPL and how you can avoid common mistakes.

January 18, 2023

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

MSBA Building, Ridgeland, MS 

OR

Virtual

Member Fee: $150 per person

To view the MSBA 2022-2023

Training and Development Schedule, click here.

December 2, 2022:

• Special Education Day

December 5-9, 2022:

• School Superintendents Appreciation Week

January 9, 2023:

• Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

To download the 2022-2023 School Appreciation Days calendar, click here.

Are you looking for a new career opportunity in the education field? 

MSBA regularly posts administrative positions on our website. To view the available positions, click here.

MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

Denotris R. Jackson, M.Ed., Executive Director

380 Zurich Drive │ Ridgeland, MS 39157 │ 601-924-2001 │  msbaonline.org