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Candice Hunt advised and consented for Charter School Authorizer Board slot
Summary
The Senate Education Committee forwarded Candice K. Hunt of Tupelo to the floor for confirmation to the Charter School Authorizer Board after Hunt described PTO and Kiwanis experience and urged more accountability for charter schools.
Chairman DeBarr opened the committee’s nominations and read Senate Nomination No. 3: Candace K. Hunt of Tupelo for the Charter School Authorizer Board, term effective Sept. 1 through 08/31/2028. Hunt introduced herself and said education is central to her family: "My children, all 3 of my children, as well as my husband and I all attended public school." She described local volunteer service, including PTO leadership and presidency of the Tupelo Kiwanis Club.
Hunt told the committee she’s already been serving since September and urged the committee to strengthen oversight of charters. "What I would like to see is some more accountability," she said, adding that authorizers are currently limited in what they can require because many charter campuses are autonomous. Senator Wiggins pressed whether school districts themselves could serve as authorizers; Hunt said the board had not yet had a district conversion come before it but acknowledged potential complications if multiple authorizers created differing rules.
Senators Boyd and McMahon spoke in favor of the nominee, noting Hunt’s community service and volunteer commitment. After a motion to advise and consent, the committee approved Hunt’s nomination by voice vote and the chairman said the nomination would be sent to the full Senate for a floor vote.
