Here are four school administrators who either recently became a Superintendent of the Year or received another distinguished K-12 award.
Superintendent Brian Creasman took Fleming County Schools (Ky.) off state-assistance status after partnering with the Kentucky Department of Education and allowing teachers to determine districtwide curriculum. The partnership transformed a high school that originally placed in the bottom 5% of commonwealth schools into a distinguished district recognized by Cognia. A $15 million career and technical education expansion allows more students to join the various programs offered there. The school also has a student-operated restaurant. Creasman is Kentucky’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year.
Source: WMKY
Under Superintendent William R. Hite‘s leadership, the District of Philadelphiathe nation’s eighth largest school districthas regained financial stability and experienced four consecutive years of growth. Hite has opened innovative high schools, doubled the number of high-performing schools in the district, reduced the number of schools in the lowest performance tier by 50%, and increased the student attendance rate. Hite received the National School Foundation Association’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year Award for his efforts.
Source: Philadelphia Patch
In three years, Superintendent Chuck McCauley pulled Bartlesville Public Schools (Okla.) out of a dire budget situation and increased low morale by passing two bond issues that saved teaching positions and protected class sizes. He worked with local officials to develop a bipartisan funding plan that increased teacher pay and addressed critical needs. McCauley also created a 1-to-1 initiative that provides Chromebook computers in grades 6 through 12, a K-5 STEM curriculum and a high school agriculture program. He supervised the establishment of a therapeutic center for elementary students who struggle due to trauma. He received the 2020 Medal for Excellence from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.
Source: Bartlesville Radio
Superintendent Gustavo Balderashas grown the number of people ofcolor in administrative positions at Eugene School District 4J (Ore.) overthe past four years. Approximately40% of principals and about two-thirds of administrators are people ofcolor. Graduation rates increased by14% over the past six years, and he developed equity systems around instruction and student behavior. He also improved equity and cultural proficiency in the state’s K-12 instruction. Balderas, a founding member of the Oregon Association of Latino 91心頭istrators, serves as northwest regional representative and treasurer for the National Association of Latino 91心頭istrators and Superintendents. Balderas was recently named the 2020 AASA National Superintendentof the Year.
Sources: AASA, Oregon Live
New superintendents
- Superintendent Steve Murley of Iowa City Community School District plans to lead the Green Bay Area School District, starting in July. Green Bay is Wisconsin’s fourth-largest district.
- Assistant Superintendent Evan Horton of Coweta County School System (Ga.) will begin leading the district in June.
- In July, Superintendent Brian J. Ganan of Komarek School District 94 (Ill.) will begin serving as superintendent of La Grange School District 105 (Ill.).
- Assistant Superintendent Brian Reagan of Wilmington Public Schools (Mass.) was recently named superintendent of Waltham Public Schools District (Mass.).
- Assistant Superintendent Troy Roth of Findlay City Schools will begin leading the Ohio district in August.
