The community will have the opportunity to meet the two final candidates selected for the city school superintendent post next week.
A meet-and-greet will be held on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at McCoy Elementary School.
Here is a look at Dr. Darron Edwards and Angela Jones, who the school trustees decided were the top candidates for the leadership position.
Dr. Darron Edwards
Dr. Darron Edwards graduated from Ruleville Central High School. He then attended Mississippi Valley State University before transferring to Delta State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree.
Edwards received an educational specialist degree and his doctorate degree from Mississippi State University.
Edwards was a college professor and a consultant with public school districts before becoming a school administrator himself.
Edwards was also in the inaugural class of the MDE’s Superintendent Academy, which is an advanced leadership training program to assist district leaders in efforts to improve student outcomes.
Edwards currently serves as the superintendent of the West Tallahatchie School District in Webb.
The West Tallahatchie School District is composed of three schools, including an alternative school, which serves the communities of Webb, Brazil, Tutwiler, Vance and Glendora.
According to the most recent report from the Mississippi Department of Education, the school district has a “D” rating. The state also reports that the district has a 56.1 percent graduation rate.
While still new at the job, Edwards was instrumental in leading a CommUNITY walk within the district. Teachers and community officials joined the students in traveling to and from school. Informative packets from school calendars to uniform policies to supply lists were also distributed throughout the community.
Angela Jones
Angela Jones serves as the school improvement officer for the Coahoma County Agricultural High School in Clarksdale.
Coahoma AHS is one of three independently functioning agricultural high schools in the state of Mississippi.
According to the most recent MDE report, the school district has a “D” rating. In 2013 it was a failing district with a “F” rating, but that rating increased a level in 2014.
The state also reports that the district has a 72.4 percent graduation rate.
Jones also served on the 2014 Notable Alumni Panel for Jackson State University.
The Herald was unable to reach both candidates by press time.
