ABOUT
Program of Research and Evaluation of Public Schools
Headquartered at William Carey University
Welcome to Mississippi’s only statewide educational consortium. PREPS was organized over 40 years ago in 1976 as a non-profit organization dedicated to serving Mississippi Public Schools. PREPS is governed by a board of directors made up of current Mississippi school district superintendents representing the congressional districts.
Current Board Members:
Dr. Edward Lee Childress, Corinth School District Superintendent (PREPS president)
Dr. Amy Carter, Meridian Public Schools Superintendent
Dr. Matthew L. Dillon, Petal School District Superintendent
Dr. Carla Evers, Pass Christian School District Superintendent
Dr. Teresa Jackson, Winona-Montgomery School District Superintendent
Mr. Jesse King, Leland Public School District Superintendent
Dr. Eddie Peasant, Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated Schools, Superintendent
Mr. Chad Shealy, Vicksburg-Warren School District Superintendent
Mr. Corey Uselton, Desoto County School District Superintendent
William Carey University Dean of School of Education, ex-officio
Ben Burnett, Ph.D.
Executive Director
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Patti Permenter, Ed.D.
Associate Director
Ginny Ingram
Membership
Coordinator
Dr. Burnett has a long list of accolades by his name including presently serving as the Executive Director of PREPS as well as the Dean of the School of Education at William Carey University. Dr. Burnett was a K-12 public school educator and leader for 28 years. He served on the PREPS board as Superintendent of Lamar County Schools.
While serving as a K-12 educator for 28 years, Patti obtained National Boards as an Early Childhood Generalist and Educational Leadership Certification. She currently works with current and pre-service teachers as a WCU assistant professor. Traveling across MS and visiting schools and classrooms is her passion.
Mrs. Ingram joined PREPS with 33 years of experience with Jones Jr. College Financial Aid. She was loyal to the office for all of those years with the last few years serving as the assistant director. She enjoys travelling and working with our PREPS membership.