Spreitler Named to State Board of Education

JACKSON, Miss. — Gov. Phil Bryant appointed two members to the State Board of Education Tuesday. Danny Spreitler and Johnny Franklin will serve unexpired terms of outgoing members.
“I am thrilled both Danny and Johnny have accepted these appointments,” Gov. Bryant said. “They are bringing many years of diverse educational experience with them to the board, and I know they are focused on improving the lives of all Mississippi children through education.”
Spreitler will be filling the unexpired term for Simon Weir of Hernando for the State Supreme Court District 3. His term will expire June 30, 2021. He is currently the Executive Director of the Gilmore Foundation. Both Spreitler and Franklin will remain on the State Early Childhood Advisory Council (SECAC).
Franklin will be filling the unexpired term for Hal Gage of Vicksburg for the State Supreme Court District 1. His term will expire June 30, 2016. Franklin will remain on the Charter School Board.
The State Board of Education oversees policy for the Department of Education, and board members appoint the state superintendent of education.
About the appointees:
Johnny Franklin
Johnny Franklin began his career in 1967 as a teacher and coach at Warren Central High School. He later served the Warren County School District as principal of Warren Central Junior High School, principal of Warren Central High School and assistant superintendent for instruction for the district. He also served as assistant superintendent for instruction for the Clinton Public School District. Franklin was the inaugural director of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and the director of the Office of Instructional Development for the Mississippi Department of Education. From 1998-2001, he directed special projects and the Center for Educational Analysis for the Public Education Forum of Mississippi, a non-partisan education policy research group under the Mississippi Economic Council. Franklin also served as principal of New Summit School from 2003-2006, leading K-12 students encountering academic difficulties. He served as education policy adviser to Governors Phil Bryant and Haley Barbour. Franklin currently sits on the Charter School Board and the State Early Childhood Advisory Council in Mississippi. He holds an associate degree from Hinds Community College and earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in education administration from Mississippi College. He also completed doctoral courses in education leadership at Mississippi State University. He and his wife Carol Ann Franklin live in Bolton. They have five daughters and five grandchildren.
“I am delighted the Governor has entrusted me to serve on the State Board of Education on behalf of the children of Mississippi,” Franklin said. “I am committed to improving the educational opportunities for Mississippi students.”
Danny Spreitler
Danny Spreitler spent six years on active duty in the United States Navy and was Sailor of the Year at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport. He is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of The Gilmore Memorial Hospital. Spreitler has been recognized for his leadership and creativity in the development of many successful community programs such as the Gilmore Early Learning Initiative (GELI), AmoryVenture, the Monroe County Guaranteed Tuition Program, the 2 Plus 2 MCGTP Public University Option Plan and the GELI Promise School. Danny currently serves on the Governor’s State Early Childhood Advisory Council of Mississippi (SECAC), the Itawamba Community College Workforce and the Monroe County Early Childhood Association. He earned his degree in Computer Science at the University of Southern Mississippi, received his Six Sigma Green Belt from Villanova and completed the Executive Management Program at Harvard University. He and his wife Denise Spreitler live in Amory. They have four children and one grandchild.
“I am humbled in accepting this appointment from Governor Bryant,” Spreitler said. “I look forward to working with the Dr. Wright and the Mississippi Board of Education in fulfilling the vision we all share for our education system and more importantly our children.”