Consultants gather state board input on Mississippi Department of Education strategic vision; members debate 'create' vs. 'sustain'

Consultants working with the Mississippi Department of Education asked state Board of Education members to refine a strategic vision for the next decade at a special planning session, focusing discussion on whether the department’s mission should move from the word “create” to “sustain,” and on expanding career and technical education as a pathway to retain students locally.

The session, convened to gather high-level direction rather than to make decisions, featured introductions from the consultant team and board members and three sample vision statements presented by Dr. Reginald Todd, a leader coach supporting the department. Dr. Todd read the existing mission aloud: “create a world class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and the workforce,” and invited members to consider alternative language and emphasis.

Board members repeatedly raised the concept of the “whole student” and workforce readiness. Billie Jean Stroud, a state board member from New Albany, said she wanted “our students to love their community so that they will stay once they finish their educational journey,” a remark echoed by members who advocated for early introduction to career and technical education (CTE) to provide viable, debt‑averse pathways into the workforce.

One board member urged a single edit to the mission: “Our current mission says to create a world class educational system. I think you changed the word create to sustain or something prettier,” arguing that the department’s work should reflect sustaining progress via implemented action plans rather than only creating a system. Consultants captured that suggestion and discussed how mission wording would translate into action plans such as digital skill development, CTE expansion, and measures to retain graduates in the state.

Members also debated whether the vision should frame Mississippi as aiming to “lead the nation” or focus on local community outcomes. Several members pushed back on a national‑leadership framing in favor of language that supports regional economic needs and keeps Mississippians working and raising families in‑state. Participants raised questions about inclusivity (for example, whether the term “Mississippian” might unintentionally exclude transient military personnel who live in the state for training periods).

Consultants outlined a phased work plan running April through December that includes steering committee review, stakeholder focus groups, and report‑back sessions in June, September and November. They said they will consolidate tonight’s input, extract common themes from the tablet exercise and participants’ prework, and return refined language for the board to review. The consultants reminded members that no formal decisions were made during the meeting.

Administrative items noted during the session included a scheduled executive‑session hearing at the June meeting to hear an appeal from an Office of Educator Misconduct decision; the hearing record was cited as 275 pages and several members requested an emailed version with highlighted sections for review. Consultants confirmed the next strategic planning meeting is scheduled for June 18 and that they will present consolidated materials then.

The board session is set to continue the strategic planning process in follow‑up meetings and outreach events; consultants said they will provide consolidated drafts and stakeholder input summaries ahead of the June 18 meeting.