Board Of Education Picks New State Superintendent

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi’s state Board of Education has chosen former Washington., D.C., schools administrator Carey Wright as superintendent of education.

A person with direct knowledge of her selection told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the appointment had not yet been formally announced.

Wright was the only woman among five finalists who interviewed Tuesday.

She became chief academic officer of the District of Columbia Public Schools, serving under Michelle Rhee, whose aggressive style was strongly criticized. Rhee left in 2010, with Wright staying until earlier this year. Wright was earlier associate superintendent of Montgomery County, Md., schools.

Wright would be the first permanent female schools superintendent in Mississippi. Interim superintendent Lynn House is also a woman.