Board of Trustees
The Columbus Municipal School District is governed by a five member Board of Trustees whose primary functions are to establish policies for the operation of the school district and oversee the implementation of those policies.
Schedule of Meetings
Regular School Board Meetings are held the second Monday of each month in Brandon Central Office at 5:00 P.M. The public is welcome to attend. Anyone wishing to address the Board may call the Board Clerk's office to be placed on the agenda. In addition, the Board of Trustees conducts school visits on a two year rotation.
School Board Meeting Videos
Regular school board meetings are video recorded and are available for viewing. Click here to view videos.
Agendas
Agendas for board meetings can be viewed online. NOTE: agendas and backup material are subject to change prior to the meeting.
Mr. Robert Smith, President
A native of Columbus and graduate of S.D. Lee High School, Robert E. Smith has consistently invested back into his hometown. Smith served more than three decades as an educator and administrator throughout Lowndes County and served as the Mayor of the City of Columbus from 2006 to 2021. Smith has served with numerous boards and organizations over the years, including the Kids with Character Board, the Lowndes County Port Authority Board, the President of the Board of Directors Prairie Opportunity, the Hospital Community Advisory Board, Mississippi Valley State Football Alumni Association, Concerned Citizens Organization, and Ward 1 City Council Member. He was appointed to the Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees in 2023. For his civic contributions, Smith was named the NAACP Man of the Year, MLK, Jr. Oasis of Freedom and Justice Award, Harriet Tubman Award, and I.B.P.O. Elks of the World Achievement Award. He is a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and holds a Master of Education Degree from Mississippi State University. His dedication and service to CMSD and Columbus aligns with the district’s mission: student centered; excellence driven.
Telisa Young, Trustee
Telisa Clay Young has served on the Board of Trustees for the Columbus Municipal School District since 2018 and currently holds the position of Vice President. She previously served as Board President providing steady leadership and guidance during her tenure.
Throughout her service, Ms. Young has remained an active and engaged trustee, serving on multiple board committees and contributing to key areas of district governance, policy development, and strategic oversight. Her work reflects a strong commitment to advancing student achievement, strengthening accountability, and supporting initiatives that promote equity and excellence across CMSD schools.
Professionally, Ms. Young brings a background grounded in leadership, public service, and community engagement. She is known for her thoughtful approach to decision-making, collaborative leadership style, and dedication to ensuring that district policies and practices align with the needs of students, families, educators, and the broader community.
Ms. Young remains deeply committed to the mission of the Columbus Municipal School District and to ensuring that all students are provided high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for success in college, careers, and life.
Dr. Cynthia S. Brown, Secretary
Dr. Cynthia Stewart Brown is a lifetime resident of Columbus and a product of the Columbus Municipal School District. She is a graduate of S.D. Lee High School. Dr. Brown is married to a retired Army Veteran, Marvin Brown. Together they have four children and four grandchildren. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree, and a Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership and administration. Dr. Brown is a licensed educator in Mississippi and Alabama with a certification in the Lexia LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training in Alabama. Dr. Brown has more than 40 years of educational experience ranging from PreK through 12th grade. Throughout her educational career, she has served as a classroom teacher, middle school principal, high school principal, and supervisor at the district level. Dr. Brown has a broad background of experience and knowledge with budgets, curriculum development, data analysis, technology, and oral and written communication on a school and district level. As a CMSD Board Trustee, Dr. Brown has the capability to learn and grow. She has the dedication and desire to serve the community
James Richardson, Vice President
Dennis Dupree, Trustee
Background and Preparation
Dennis J. Dupree, Sr. is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. He is a graduate of Lanier High School, Jackson State University, and Mississippi State University. Dupree is the youngest of six children born to the late Edna Johnson. He was educated in the Jackson Public School District and attended college on a football scholarship. He excelled in the classroom and on the football field. He was a President’s List Scholar at JSU and was also recognized for attaining the Highest Scholastic Average on the JSU Football team. He completed further study at the University of Mississippi prior to moving to Columbus. Dupree retired from public education June 30, 2019 after twelve years as Superintendent of Schools for the Clarksdale Municipal School District. His educational career spanned 39 ½ years. He served decades long stints in the Oxford Public School District, Columbus Municipal School District, and the Clarksdale Municipal School District. He has held such roles as teacher, assistant football coach, head football coach, head track coach, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, interim superintendent, and superintendent. Dupree was approved to serve as Columbus’s Interim Superintendent on August 10, 2022 and served in that role for the legally allowed 117 days.
Career and Family Milestones
On April 1, 2014, Dupree was recognized as a Leader to Learn From, one of sixteen national school leaders selected by Education Week magazine. Among his proudest accomplishments are being named: Alumni of the Year at Lanier High School, being named Delta Area Superintendent of the Year by DAAIS, receiving the Arthur Cartlidge Leadership Award, and being selected as Administrator of the Year during his initial tenure in Columbus Municipal School District. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. Dupree is married to Shelia Sanders Dupree, the father of two adult children (Dennis Jr. and Jasmine) and the grandfather of six (5 grandsons and 1 granddaughter).
Newest Endeavor
Dupree’s tenure as a CMSD Board Member began on January 12, 2026. Dupree’s educational experience in many of the roles he has held in Mississippi school districts should serve him well as he works to be a good steward of CMSD’s finances and resources, a strong voice in policy making deliberations, and his knowledge and understanding of the role and expectations of board members. Dupree considers himself to be a servant determined to make a positive difference for the children of CMSD, the employees of the district, and the Columbus community. He is looking forward to his board service as a way of giving back to the community he calls home.
MSBA Board of Merit Award
The CMSD Board of Trustees was awarded the Mississippi School Board Association's Board of Merit Award for their dedication to the school district and high level of participation in MSBA events.
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