Administration

Interim Superintendent of Education

Dr. Kim Benton

Contact Dr. Benton at bentonk@unionyellowjackets.org

Dr. Kim S. Benton serves as Interim Superintendent of the Union Public School District, bringing more than four decades of experience in public education and a distinguished record of leadership at the school, district, state, and national levels.

Dr. Benton began her career as a teacher assistant and went on to serve as a classroom teacher, elementary school principal, and district-level administrator in the Meridian Public School District. As principal of Oakland Heights Elementary School, she led significant improvements in student achievement and was recognized as a National Distinguished Principal.

In 2010, Dr. Benton joined the Mississippi Department of Education, where she later served as Chief Academic Officer and Deputy State Superintendent. In that role, she helped lead several of Mississippi’s most significant education initiatives, including implementation of the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, Early Learning Collaboratives, College- and Career-Ready Standards, school improvement efforts, and other initiatives focused on improving teaching and learning across the state.

Dr. Benton later returned to the Mississippi Department of Education and was appointed Interim State Superintendent of Education in 2022. Throughout her state-level service, she played an important role in Mississippi’s efforts to strengthen academic achievement and improve outcomes for students.

Her experience also extends to higher education and national education leadership. Dr. Benton has served as an associate professor of educational leadership at William Carey University and as an adjunct instructor at Mississippi State University and the University of West Alabama. She has also worked with the National Comprehensive Center, providing leadership support and professional learning to educators and state education agencies across the country.

Throughout her career, Dr. Benton has remained committed to a simple but important belief: every child deserves access to an excellent education and the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. As Interim Superintendent, she brings to Union Public School District extensive leadership experience, a deep understanding of Mississippi public education, and a student-centered approach to supporting our schools, employees, families, and community.