State Board Selects 11 Semifinalists for 2026-27 Student Representative Program
Summary
The Mississippi State Board of Education has selected 11 semifinalists from a pool of 33 applicants for its 2026-27 junior student representative program. The student representatives serve as non-voting SBE members and attend monthly board meetings and committee assignments. Up to four finalists will be interviewed before one rising junior is appointed to the position.
What changed
The Mississippi State Board of Education announced the 11 semifinalists selected for its junior student representative program covering the 2026-27 school year. The selection process began with 33 eligible applicants, with semifinalists advancing to interviews. Up to four finalists will be named following interviews, and the SBE will appoint one rising junior to serve as a non-voting board member.\n\nThis announcement affects Mississippi public school students interested in serving on the State Board of Education. Student representatives are responsible for attending monthly SBE meetings and assigned committee meetings, with school excused for these activities as official business. The program provides students direct input on state education policy decisions without imposing compliance obligations on schools, districts, or educational institutions.
Archived snapshot
Apr 17, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: April 7, 2026
State Board of Education selects 11 semifinalists for 2026-27 State Board Student Representative Program
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) has selected 11 semifinalists for the SBE junior student representative in the 2026-27 school year.
The SBE student representative program includes one high school junior and one high school senior who serve as non-voting SBE members and provide input on policy decisions that affect Mississippi public schools. The current junior SBE representative, Michelle Xie of Oak Grove High School, will serve as the senior representative in 2026-27.
The eligible applicant pool for the rising junior representative included 33 students.
SBE student representatives are responsible for attending monthly SBE meetings and any standing committees or subcommittees to which they are assigned. Student representatives are excused from school to attend SBE meetings as official school business.
The SBE adopted a policy in 2018 outlining the criteria for adding student representatives to the State Board.
Semifinalists will be interviewed, and up to four finalists will be named. The SBE will interview the finalists and appoint one rising junior.
The 11 semifinalists are as follows:
Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.
Jean Cook, APR
Chief of Communication
601-359-3515
jcook@mdek12.org
Shanderia Minor
Public Information Officer
601-359-3515
sminor@mdek12.org
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