Poore excited for future of schools
The next superintendent for Madison County Schools says it would be a “compliment” to him if people say they have not noticed much difference during his tenure.
“The ship is not sinking,” Ted Poore said. “It doesn't have any leaks and we are sailing along very smoothly.”
The Madison County Board of Education announced on Dec. 13 that Poore will serve as the next superintendent of Madison County Schools.
Poore will begin serving as deputy superintendent effective immediately, working closely with Superintendent Charlotte Seals prior to her retirement on July 1, 2024.
“We are confident that Mr. Poore will continue to build on the tradition of excellence for which our district is known,” Madison County Board of Education President Sam Kelly said. “Everyone who has worked with Mr. Poore can attest to his dedication as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent in our district. We look forward to Mr. Poore leading Madison County Schools to continued success.”
A 26-year veteran with Madison County Schools, with more than 35 years in the education profession, Poore has served MCS most recently as an assistant superintendent.
Specifically, Poore said he is proud Madison County Schools have earned their 10th consecutive “A” rating from the state for the 2022-2023 school year and every school in Madison County Schools earned either an A or B rating.
“It would be a disservice to go in and make a lot of wholesale changes,” Poore said.
As deputy superintendent, Poore will work closely with current Seals to ensure there is a smooth transition between their administrations.
Poore said he will be focused on hiring, which he said has been made more difficult by a teacher shortage.
“The deputy title ensures Superintendent Seals and I can work hand in hand to get the right people in the right seats and get a jump on the competition,” Poore said.
Poore said he hopes his tenure will be short and will allow for some younger administrators in the district to get some more experience before handing the district off to them.
Prior to working at the district level, Poore served in numerous roles from teacher, coach, and counselor to a school-level administrator. Throughout the 1990s, Poore led Rosa Scott Middle School as principal following several years as assistant principal.
Poore was tapped in 2002 to serve as the first principal of Madison Middle School. He returned as principal at Rosa Scott in 2004 when the school became home to all ninth graders in the Jaguar Zone. His legacy as a beloved principal there was immortalized in the naming of Poore’s Pass, the road that leads to the campus.
In 2011, Poore once again was called to serve as a founding principal at Germantown High School. From 2014-2019 he served as Head of School at Park Place Christian Academy before returning to Madison County Schools in the role of assistant superintendent.
Throughout his career, he has received numerous honors. Poore has been recognized as Madison County Schools Administrator of the Year, Mississippi Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) Middle School Principal of the Year, MASSP High School Principal of the Year, and Mississippi Association of School Administrators High School Principal of the Year. A respected administrator throughout the state, Poore served for 10 years as a member of the Commission on School Accreditation for the Mississippi Department of Education.
Poore is a graduate of Delta State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. He earned a degree in Educational Leadership from Mississippi College. He is a member of Colonial Heights Baptist Church, and he has been married to his wife Carol Ann for more than 40 years. The Poores have three grown children — all of whom are graduates of Madison County Schools — along with six grandchildren.