FREE CONTENT — Jones named Superintendent of Education

By Paul Keane

The Wayne County News

Wayne County native Carol L. Jones has been named the new Superintendent 
of Education for the Wayne County School District..

During a special called meeting of the School Board Tuesday, members 
voted 4-0 with one abstention to hire Jones, who will take over running 
the department on July 1. She replaces Tommy Branch, who retired 
effective Jan. 1.

Four of the Board members voted to hire Jones while Beat 4 Member 
Russell "Rusty" Pitts abstained from voting.

"During the superintendent search process, we, as a board, kept our 
focus on our criteria and on the input from the stakeholder groups," 
said Board President Wilma Taylor. "We feel confident that we have 
chosen a leader who understands the importance of honest and regular 
communications with all the stakeholder groups, and who is committed to 
being a visible and active member of the community.

"Her track record of success and ability to engage stakeholders will 
benefit our district. We are eager for Mrs. Jones to get to know our 
remarkable students, our dedicated staff and our supportive community. 
We look forward to many years of collaboration to make the Wayne County 
School District the best place in which to learn and to work."

Jones is currently serving as the Principal at N.R. Burger Middle School 
in the Hattiesburg Public School District. A native of Buckatunna, she 
said coming back to lead the district she was raised in is a true honor.

"I am deeply honored and grateful to be named Superintendent of the 
Wayne County School District," she said. "I sincerely thank the School 
Board of entrusting me with this responsibility.

"As a proud Wayne County native, I am committed to working alongside our 
students, families, staff and community as we pursue excellence 
together.

"This community has played an important role in shaping who I am today, 
and I look forward to building on our strengths, embracing new 
opportunities and ensuring that every student is empowered to reach 
their full potential."

A 1999 graduate of Wayne County High School, she earned a Bachelor of 
Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern 
Mississippi in 2003. In 2009, she earned a Masters of Administration in 
Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of 
Phoenix, then went on to earn a Specialist's Degree in Instructional 
Leadership from William Carey University in 2017.

She is currently a Doctoral student at William Carey University and is 
projected to graduate in May of this year.

She began her career in 2003 as a Third Grade Teacher at Canton 
Elementary School, then served as a Fifth Grade Math and Science Teacher 
at Pontotoc Junior High from July 2006-April 2009, then was a Fourth 
Grade and Kindergarten Teacher at Kennedy Elementary School from July 
2009 through November 2010. She then moved to Hazlehurst PK-8 School, 
where she served as an Instructional Coach from December 2010 through 
May 2011 and then as Assistant Principal at the school from June 2011 
through May 2014.

She became an Assistant Principal in the Lumberton Public School 
District in June 2014 before being moved to a Principal's position from 
June 2015 through May 2018. Since June 2018, she has served as Principal 
at N.R. Burger Middle School.

Under her guidance, the school earned a "B" accountability rating — 
improving from a "D" — in the 2018-2019 school year. That rating was 
maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic as ratings were kept in place, 
but then the school earned another "B" for the 2022-2023 school year. In 
the 2023-2024 school year, the "B" rating including a 40-point increase 
in scores from the previous year, and the rating was maintained this 
past school year.

Throughout her career, Jones has earned recognition for her leadership 
and partnership in building capacities, including earning both the 
Mississippi Association of Partners in Education School and Community 
Governor's Award for three years in a row. She also served on the 
Mississippi Department of Education's Principal Advisory Council and on 
the University of Southern Mississippi Field Experiences Advisory Board.

She is affiliated with New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in 
Buckatunna and works with Rock Solid Youth Education Foundation, Inc., 
an organization her father-in-law — Dan Jones — founded in Wayne 
County.

A formal introductory reception and "meet and greet" is expected to be 
scheduled for a later date.