Dr. Howard Savage, Jr.

Superintendent of Education

Email: howardsavage@winonaschools.net

In his more than 17 years of experience in education, Dr. Savage has a proven record of improving student achievement, building community engagement and campus culture, recruitment and retention of faculty and staff, and strategically planning for long-term success.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and his Associate of Science from Northeast Mississippi Community College. He earned his master's degree in Educational Leadership and his specialist in Instructional Leadership from William Carey University. He received his Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from William Carey University.

A passionate advocate of professional development, Dr. Savage has completed the Area Development Partnership Pinebelt Leadership (2013), University of Southern Mississippi Center of Service and Leadership Development (2014), National Institute of School Leaders (2016), Millsaps Principals Institute (2017), CEO Principals Leadership Academy (2018), and Prospective Superintendent Leadership Academy (2018).

Prior to coming to the Winona-Montgomery School District, Dr. Savage was the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education for the Pascagoula-Gautier School District. He also served as Executive Principal for the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, and he was an administrator and principal of the Quitman Consolidated School District. He began his career in education at the Hattiesburg Public School District as a teacher and working his way up to Assistant Principal of Hattiesburg High School and Bethune Alternative School.

He was awarded the 2018 State of Mississippi Administrator of the Year award and honored as the 2022 Mississippi Association of Partners in Education Governor’s Award Winner, the 2019 Mississippi Theatre Association Administrator of the Year, the 2019 Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education Administrator of the Year, and the 2018 Mississippi Association of Educators Administrator of the Year, among others.

Married to Dr. Angela Savage, who serves as the Director of Social Work at Mississippi State University – Meridian Campus, the couple has three children, Amara, Amarion, and Amaya.

Rana Mitchell

Assistant Superintendent of Education and Federal Programs Director

Email: ranamitchell@winonaschools.net

Rana Mitchell graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.S. in Psychology and a M.A. in School Psychology.

In her 23 years in education, she has served as School Psychometrist, Special Education Director, Federal Programs Director and Assistant Superintendent.

She is currently in her sixth year at Winona-Montgomery and is serving as Assistant Superintendent and Federal Programs Director.