District Leadership

Narita Edwards, Chief Financial Officer

Education

• School Business Administrator License, Mississippi Department of Education, Jackson, MS
• Master of Business Administration, Delta State University, Cleveland, MS
• Bachelor of Accountancy, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

Work Experience

• Staff Accountant for the North Panola School District (August 2003 to August 2021)
• Director of Finance for the Oxford School District (August 2021 to February 2025)
• Chief Financial Officer for the Oxford School District (February 2025 to present)

Marni Herrington, Chief Academic Officer

Education

• Bachelors of Science in Education, Mississippi State University
• Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Mississippi

Experience

• Teacher at Oxford High School – August 2002-May 2013
• Assistant Principal at Oxford High School – July 2013-June 2017
• Principal at Della Davidson Elementary School – July 2017-June 2021
• Chief Academic Officer – July 2021

Honors

• District Administrator of the Year – 2016
• Stanford University – Excellence in Teaching recognition (2014)
• STAR Teacher Award recipient (2012 and 2013)
• MSPA Broadcast Advisor of the Year Award (2013)
• Jack Holliday Memorial Award recipient for outstanding guidance (2012)

Dr. Steve Hurdle, Chief of Operations

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, The University of Mississippi
• Masters in K-12 Educational Leadership, The University of Mississippi
• Ed.D. in K-12 Educational Leadership, The University of Mississippi

Experience

• Small business owner 1999 - 2004
• Teacher at Oxford-Lafayette School of Applied Technology 2004-2011
• Assistant Principal - Independence High School - 2011-2012
• Principal - Independence High School - 2012-2013
• Assistant Principal - Oxford Middle School - 2013-2014
• Founding Principal - Oxford Intermediate School - 2014-2019
• Founding Career and Technical Education Director - 2019-2023
• Chief Operations Officer - December 2023

Professional Accomplishments

• Graduate of Aspiring Superintendents Institute with the National Superintendents Association (AASA)
• Fellow with National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC)
• Led the district to start a Career and Technical Education Center that saw approximately 300% growth in student enrollment over 4 years
• Served on the District strategic planning team
• Served on the District Portrait of a Graduate team
• Led professional development a the local, state, regional, and national levels
• Adjunct Professor of Educational Leadership with The University of Mississippi

Dr. Germain McConnell, Chief of Staff

Experience

• Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Columbus, MS
  Superintendent, 2013-2021
• Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Columbus, MS
  Principal
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Assistant Dean
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Co-Director, Mississippi Teacher Corps (MTC)
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Director of Academic Advising
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Program Manager, Mississippi Teacher Corps
• Mississippi University for Women
  Adjunct Professor
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Assistant Professor, Leadership and Counselor Education-Tenure Track
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Instructor, Curriculum & Instruction
• Tunica County Schools, Tunica, MS
  Mathematics Teacher, Grades 10-12

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Mississippi, K-12 Educational Leadership
• Master of Arts, The University of Mississippi, Curriculum & Instruction
• Bachelor of Science, The University of Mississippi, Electrical Engineering

Licenses

• Licenses:
  • Secondary Mathematics/Mississippi (154)
  • Administrator/Mississippi (486)
• Certificates:
  • Prospective Superintendent Leadership Academy (Mississippi School Boards Association)

Awards

• Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year
• Graduate of Leadership Lowndes County
• Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Administrator
• Forest W. Murphy Award in K-12 Leadership
• Graduate School Achievement Award

Leadership

• Board of Directors, National Consortium for Secondary STEM Schools (President-2021, Treasurer-2019, Membership Chair-2018)
• Board of Directors, Golden Triangle Tennis (President-2018-present)
• Board of Directors, Town and Tower-Columbus, MS
• Board of Directors, Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce
• Advisory Board, University of Mississippi School of Education
• Advisory Board, Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program, The University of Mississippi
• Advisory Board, Golden Triangle Development LINK
• Advisory Board, Mississippi Teacher Corps
• Advisory Board, Cadence Bank
• Advisory Board, MUW Life Enrichment Program
• Advisory Board, Mississippi Association of Gifted Children
• Advisory Board, Lowndes Young Leaders
• Advisory Board, University of Mississippi High School
• Committee, Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce Education Committee

Dr. LaTonya Robinson, Chief of Student Services

Education

• Associates Degree in Elementary Education, Coahoma Community College
• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, The University of Mississippi
• Master’s of Elementary Education, The University of Mississippi
• Specialist in Educational Leadership, Delta State University
• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, The University of Mississippi

Experience

• Batesville Middle School, Batesville, MS, South Panola School District, Fifth Grade teacher
• Green Elementary School, Jackson, MS, Jackson Public School District
• Bolton Edwards Elementary School, Third Grade Teacher (self contained),, Hinds County School District
• 4th Grade Teacher (self-contained high-ability), May 2000-December 2000
• Batesville Middle School, South Panola School District, Self-Contained In-School Suspension Teacher
• Myrtle Hall IV Elementary School, Clarksdale Municipal Separate School District, Fourth Grade Teacher (self contained)

Administrative Roles

• Morgantown Middle School, Natchez, MS,
  Natchez-Adams School District
  Assistant Principal, 2009-2011
• Oxford Elementary School, Oxford, MS,
  Oxford School District
  Principal, 2011-2014
• Della Davidson Elementary School, Oxford, MS,
  Oxford School District
• Green Hill Elementary School, Sardis, MS,
  North Panola School District
• Oxford School District Central Office, Oxford, MS,
  MTSS/Equity/Deputy Sped Director 2019-2021
• Oxford School District Central Office, Oxford, MS,
  Chief of Student Services (MTSS, Special Services, Gifted) 2021-Present

Honors

• MDE Common Core Conference attendee and delegate
• William Winter Teacher Scholarship Recipient for University of MS
• 2013 Principal’s Primer for Literacy trained and certified
• 2012 Administrator of the Year Oxford School District
• 2015-16 MVP (presented during a board meeting) for Oxford School District (rated to district in the state)
• 2018 University of Mississippi Practitioner of Distinction for the School of Education