Jackson Free Press

Dustin Cardon

One of Ineva May-Pittman's greatest current concerns is the process the Jackson school board uses to select a new superintendent. She feels the people who should be making the decision are left out of the process.

"It seems like a closed situation," May-Pittman said. "The taxpayers and parents are not included to the level they should. A hand-picked group of individuals is deciding for them. It is evident committee members are hand-picked to go along with what [the board] already wants. They were former board members who were against the outgoing superintendent."

May-Pittman feels the solution is for the school board to hold public meetings for parents and taxpayers to decide for themselves on the issue. She wants each ward to have a say in who represents them.

A native of Jayess, Miss., May-Pittman, 71, is a member of numerous civic, religious, civil rights, and professional organizations. She is an active member of the NAACP, the Jackson Association of Educators, the Jackson State University National Alumni Association and the State Democratic Executive Committee. She is a frequent attendee of Jackson school board and City Council meetings, where she always arrives with a list of concerns to speak out on during the public comment time.

May-Pittman attended Elliot Elementary in Jayess, Shady Grove Elementary in Jackson and graduated from Lanier High School. She attended Christ Missionary & Industrial College High School and received a bachelor's of science degree in elementary education from Jackson State College in 1956. She also received a master's of science degree in education and supervision from Jackson State in 1973. She engaged in additional study at the University of Alabama, Southern University, Belhaven College and Mississippi Baptist Seminary.

May-Pittman is married to Joe Pittman, and has one son, Albert Pittman, and one grandchild.