Search Results

BILL: HB 189 TITLE: Public Middle, High, and Charter Schools - Start Time for Instruction DATE: February 05, 2026 POSITION: Oppose COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents, opposes  House Bill 189. This bill requires, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, all middle schools in the State to begin instruction no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and all high schools in the State to begin instruction no earlier than 8:30 a.m. The State Board of Education (SBE), by request, may grant waivers from these requirements if they determine that there is a compelling reason for a school to require a different start time. However, a lack of funding to implement the new start times is not a compelling reason for a waiver. Additionally, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, each local board of education and public charter school must implement a public information campaign to raise awareness of the later start times for middle and high schools, as specified. If requested, SBE must assist with these campaigns. The bill makes additional technical and conforming changes. Although PSSAM appreciates the intent of HB 189, local superintendents firmly believe that decisions regarding mandates—such as changes to school start times—should be made by local school districts in conjunction with guidance from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). It is important to note that local school systems already have the authority to adjust start times as needed and each district should be allowed the discretion to make decisions that best support its students, families, and communities. For these reasons, PSSAM opposes  House Bill 189 and kindly requests an unfavorable  report.

BILL: HB 154 TITLE: Open Meetings Act - County Boards of Education - Enhanced Requirements (Local Boards of Education Transparency Act) DATE: February 05, 2026 POSITION: Favorable with Amendments COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents, supports House Bill 154 with amendments . This bill makes local boards of education and the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners subject to enhanced requirements under the Open Meetings Act. Specifically, it requires each local board of education and the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners to make publicly available on its website the agenda and minutes of each meeting and a live video stream of each portion of a meeting held in open session. The bill also requires each local board of education and the Baltimore City board of School Commissioners to maintain on its website a complete and unedited archived video recording of each open meeting where video streaming was made available for a minimum of five years after the date of the meeting. (Source: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/fnotes/bil_0009/sb00154.pdf ) PSSAM is strongly supportive of the bill and appreciates the intent to expand transparency and public access to school board meetings. We respectfully request consideration of three amendments  we believe would strengthen implementation, while preserving access for communities across the state. Amendment 1: Mirror Existing Statutory Language for Meeting Locations We request consideration of language for school board meetings that mirrors the existing statutory framework applied to the Maryland Transportation Authority (lines 25–30), which requires live video streaming only at the agency’s headquarters.  Applying a similar approach to school boards would preserve public access while recognizing practical realities. Many districts intentionally hold meetings in community locations - such as town halls or listening sessions - that are not conducive to live streaming. For example, Frederick County regularly conducts community conversations outside of headquarters, and Anne Arundel County Public Schools hosts public budget hearings in two community locations to improve geographic access. These meetings fully comply with Open Meetings Act notice and participation requirements, but are not always live streamed. This amendment would ensure continued access for residents in less urban or more remote areas without discouraging boards from meeting in the community. Amendment 2: Limited Authority to Remove Pornographic or Disruptive Content We request narrowly tailored authority to permit the removal of clearly inappropriate or pornographic content from meeting recordings. While we do not support broad or discretionary editing rights, recent instances of “Zoom bombing”—including explicit sexual conduct captured on video—raise serious concerns about permanently memorializing such content. We suggest exploring language that would allow limited removal of such material, paired with notification to or guidance from the Open Meetings Act Compliance Board. This approach would maintain transparency while protecting the integrity of the record and the public interest. Amendment 3: Use of Third-Party Platforms to Satisfy Posting and Storage Requirements Finally, we request clarification that posting meeting videos on third-party platforms such as YouTube may satisfy the posting requirement, provided that all retention timelines remain unchanged. This approach is already used by the General Assembly, MSDE, the Accountability and Implementation Board, and other State entities. In practice, third-party platforms are more accessible and user-friendly for the public, while also reducing technical and storage burdens for local boards.  PSSAM appreciates the sponsor and committee’s openness to these thoughtful adjustments that support transparency while ensuring the bill works effectively for all communities across Maryland. For these reasons, PSSAM supports House Bill 154 with the  suggested amendments  above.

BILL: HB 163 TITLE: County Boards of Education - Student Technology Use Policy Requirements DATE: February 05, 2026 POSITION: Oppose COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents  opposes  House Bill 163.  This bill requires county boards of education to develop and adopt a policy that prohibits elementary and middle school students from using a cellular phone or personal electronic device during school hours. Such policy may not prohibit a student from using a cellular device for any purpose documented in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan, to monitor or address a student’s health issue, or when directed by an educator or administrator for educational purposes.  Maryland superintendents appreciate the good intentions of this bill; however, PSSAM steadfastly opposes any legislation that imposes statewide mandates on local school systems or local boards of education, especially on policies that have previously been deliberated at the local level with all affected stakeholders, such as the case regarding student uses of cell phones.  In the past several years, superintendents, school boards and advisory groups in every Local Education Agencies (LEAs) have taken proactive action to establish, update, or study district-wide cell phone policies. These efforts include establishing new policies specific to the use of cell phones, updating board policies, revising the district’s code of conduct or student handbook regarding the use of technology to include cell phones or “smart” technology, and/or introducing pilot programs. Much of the local work in establishing these policies was aided through surveys to parents, teachers, and students, as well as extensive public meetings.  In addition, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) convened a broad workgroup of stakeholders in 2025, including several superintendents, to study this issue. We strongly supported this workgroup and its on-the-ground membership. The workgroup anchored its work in national research and partnered with Phones in Focus who have initiated a national study based on educator input regarding best practices around the county. More importantly, the workgroup used the experiences of the local school districts who have already delved deep in their communities to determine the appropriate use of cell phones and “smart technology” in classrooms and schools.  PSSAM remains committed to focusing on empowering local decision-making to ensure education policies that are relevant, flexible, and reflective of the unique needs of each community. Again, we appreciate the bill’s good intentions, but ask the Legislature to allow the education experts at the state and local level to enact and enforce the most effective public policies.  For these reasons, PSSAM opposes House Bill 163 and kindly requests an unfavorable report.

BILL: HB 128 TITLE: County Boards of Education - Therapy Dogs - Policy for Handling  and Use in Schools DATE: February 05, 2026 POSITION: Oppose COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents, sadly opposes HB 128 . This bill requires each local board of education to allow, and adopt a policy for, the use of therapy dogs in public schools, and requires a handler to accompany each therapy dog in school. The policy must include (1) certification requirements for therapy dogs; (2) guidelines for handlers; (3) guidelines for when and where therapy dogs and handlers are allowed in school buildings; (4) notification requirements; and (5) guidelines for the management of students and staff with allergies or who are uncomfortable around dogs. Under the bill, a “therapy dog” is a dog that is trained to provide affection and comfort to children who need emotional support in a school setting and is certified or registered as a therapy dog. A “handler” is an individual who provides care and training for the therapy dog.  PSSAM appreciates the intent of this legislation and the focus on supporting students’ emotional and mental well-being. Local school systems share that goal and are deeply invested in creating safe, supportive learning environments for all students. Federal and State law already allow for the use of service animals  in schools when they are trained to perform specific, documented tasks—such as alerting individuals of an oncoming seizure, reminding someone to take medication, or assisting with mobility or medical needs. These service animals are subject to well-established legal standards and protections. This bill goes beyond those existing frameworks by requiring every local board of education to allow and adopt policies for therapy dogs , which are not covered under federal disability law in the same way.  While well-intentioned, this raises several concerns. First , the bill relies on a concept of “certification” for therapy dogs that is not legally recognized . There is currently no uniform, legally defined certification standard for therapy dogs providing affection and comfort in schools. As written, the bill would leave substantial room for interpretation regarding what qualifications are sufficient for a dog to serve in this role, creating inconsistency and potential risk across school systems. Second , the bill would unreasonably mandate the presence of a handler  to accompany each therapy dog in a school setting. This raises practical and operational questions about supervision, staffing, training, liability, and cost—particularly in environments where schools are already managing complex student needs with limited resources. Third , dogs that are not otherwise trained for structured school environments may unintentionally become a distraction or disturbance  to other students and staff. Schools must also consider unintended consequences, including classroom disruptions, safety concerns, and the management of students and employees with allergies, fears, or cultural discomfort around dogs. Finally , this legislation would expand the scope and complexity of student supports  that schools would be required to manage without requiring a documented need for this intervention. Local school systems already use a range of evidence-based supports—social workers, counselors, psychologists, behavioral interventions, and targeted programs—tailored to individual student needs. Mandating a specific support tool without an individualized determination could undermine that existing framework. We welcome continued dialogue on how best to support students’ social and emotional well-being in a manner that is flexible, legally sound, and responsive to local conditions. Therefore, PSSAM sadly opposes House Bill 128.

BILL: HB 123 TITLE: School Systems - Reportable Offenses - Alterations DATE: February 05, 2026 POSITION: Letter of Information COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee House Judiciary Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four public school superintendents, provides this Letter of Information regarding House Bill 123. This bill expands the offenses that qualify as reportable offenses and makes changes to related reporting requirements. If the State’s Attorney determines that school officials have not been notified of a student’s arrest for a reportable offense (as required under current law), the State’s Attorney may notify the school officials.                                                                                 (Source: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/fnotes/bil_0003/hb0123.pdf ) The public education system in Maryland is responsible for providing a free and appropriate education for every student in the State. Local superintendents take this responsibility very seriously and balance this tremendous duty to educate, with the need to provide a safe and supportive educational setting for students and staff.  To ensure the highest standards of safety for schools, it is imperative that information regarding students’ criminal involvement and interactions with law enforcement is appropriately shared with school personnel. The current flow of information between law enforcement and schools is disjointed and needs to be vastly improved.  We appreciate the sponsor’s keen interest in this issue and this legislation, but we believe the Legislature should take a more comprehensive approach on the issues of information sharing regarding students’ criminal behavior. To that end, we are happy to support the workgroup on Juvenile Justice Processes and Systems Coordination  that is part of the The Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform & Emerging Best Practices. This workgroup is actively taking up many of the concerns of PSSAM and our LEA partners on the issue of reportable offenses and information sharing. Specifically, the workgroup has developed an action plan that is expected to address the following areas: Establishing a standardized statewide process for law enforcement notifications Establishing a standardized statewide process for State’s Attorney notifications Addressing information gaps during student transfers Standardizing the overall flow of information More specifically, the workgroup is focused on: Developing a uniform, statewide process for sharing reportable offense information from arrest through disposition Recommending any statutory or regulatory changes needed to ensure information reaches the appropriate individuals in a timely and consistent manner Ensuring the process appropriately protects confidentiality while supporting school safety, coordination, and student services Last session PSSAM advocated for the creation of such a workgroup and we are confident that the group’s comprehensive stakeholder representation will facilitate thoughtful, collaborative work and result in consensus legislation in the 2027 legislative session. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this Letter of Information  on House Bill 123.

BILL: HB 110 TITLE: Motor Vehicles - School Buses - Seat Belts DATE: February 05, 2026 POSITION: Favorable COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee House Environment & Transportation Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents, supports HB 110 . This bill requires every school bus purchased on or after July 1, 2030, and registered in the State to be equipped with, for each seat on the school bus, three-point seat belts that are accessible to passengers. Local school systems must provide student instruction on school bus safety and the proper use of seat belts on school buses, as part of an existing program of safety education. The failure of a school bus operator to ensure that an occupant of a school bus was wearing a seat belt may not be the basis of a criminal prosecution or a civil action for damages against the school bus operator or a school, school district, or municipality. As under current law, “seat belt” is defined as any belt, strap, harness, or like device. The bill also makes various technical changes to terminology. PSSAM appreciates the intent of House Bill 110 and the sponsors’ concern for the safety and well-being of students on school buses.  The safe transportation of our students is a top priority for all local superintendents.   While we still believe that school buses are almost 40 times safer than any other form of ground transportation in preventing serious injury or death**, we understand that the installation of seat belts on buses is a matter of when, not if, and, we appreciate the sponsor’s willingness to work with school systems to mitigate the financial and operational impact of changing our bus fleet.  We particularly want to thank the sponsor for taking our concerns seriously regarding student behavior on school buses and potential liability concerns. Although we implement numerous strategies and procedures to lessen the chance of inappropriate action on the part of students, this can be a difficult task.    Therefore, PSSAM supports House Bill 110.

BILL: HB 63 TITLE: Education - Interscholastic and Intramural Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams and Locker Rooms - Designation Based on Sex (Fairness in Girls' Sports Act) DATE: February 05, 2026 POSITION: Oppose COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents, opposes  House Bill 63. This bill requires an interscholastic or intramural athletic team or sport that is sponsored by a public or nonpublic high school to be expressly designated as one of the following based on biological sex: (1) a boys’, male, or men’s team or sport; (2) a girls’, female, or women’s team or sport; or (3) a coeducational or mixed team or sport. An interscholastic or intramural athletic team or sport designated for girls, females, or women may not include students of the male sex. A governmental entity, a licensing or accrediting organization, or an athletic association or organization may not accept a complaint, investigate, or take any other adverse action against a school for maintaining separate interscholastic or intramural athletic teams or sports for students of the female sex. Students and schools are authorized to bring specified civil actions. This act shall take into effect July 1, 2026. Maryland’s superintendents raise serious concerns about the mandated, statewide approach to participation in interscholastic sports taken by this bill. Instead, PSSAM favors the maintenance of locally controlled systems of interscholastic athletics governed by the guidance of Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) and regulations adopted by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).  Since 1991, interscholastic sports in Maryland have operated in accordance with the “Master Agreement Outlining the Interscholastic Structure for Public Schools in Maryland,” which establishes the responsibilities of MPSSAA, MSDE, and local school systems. Local superintendents believe that this system of regulation and oversight is working well. The MPSSAA Guidance for Participation of Transgender Youth in Interscholastic Athletics states that its purpose is to “designate a set of criteria in which student-athletes are able to compete on a level playing field in a safe, competitive and friendly environment, free of discrimination. At the center of educational programming is the value placed in providing equal opportunity for all students.” The Guidance further provides that “each school system should develop and apply criteria for students to participate in interscholastic athletic teams consistent with their gender identity.”  This guidance includes several principles and criteria for local school systems to use in determining eligibility of transgender students in interscholastic sports. These include attention to preserving the integrity of women's sports, as well as policies that are fair in light of the variation among individuals in strength, size, musculature, and ability. Through these means, the guidance reflects Maryland’s high priority on establishing and maintaining an interscholastic athletic system that assures that sports activities contribute to the entire educational program for all students choosing to participate. Additionally, PSSAM would like to highlight the potential of this legislation to create liability for discriminatory practices under a new statewide system of criteria for student participation in women’s sports based solely on sex assigned at birth. Other state legislatures have established that enforcing the standard of biological sex would likely require subjecting youth to invasive mandates in order to ensure eligibility, which could be considered sex discrimination as defined by the Supreme Court case of Bostock v. Clayton County , in which the Court asserted that anti-transgender discrimination violated Title VII’s prohibition against sex discrimination.   For these reasons, PSSAM opposes  House Bill 63 and kindly requests an unfavorable report.

BILL: HB 29 TITLE: County Boards of Education – Post College and Career Readiness Pathways – Payment of Costs DATE: January 29, 2026 POSITION: Favorable COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four Maryland local school superintendents, supports House Bill 29. This legislation authorizes a county board of education to develop and establish income eligibility guidelines and procedures for payment of costs for certain post college and career readiness (post-CCR) pathways, and requires a county board to provide access to the post-CCR pathway at no cost to the student or parents if the student's family income is below 400% of the federal poverty level. PSSAM thanks the sponsor for her leadership in putting forth this legislation that largely mirrors one of our policy and legislative recommendations  (rec. 15) put forward last year. PSSAM and its superintendent members strongly support this legislation that would authorize county boards of education to develop income-eligibility guidelines for CCR. Currently the Blueprint requires all students meeting CCR to enroll in a post-CCR pathway at no cost to the student or their families. These pathways include: Competitive entry college prep (IB, Cambridge, or AP). Dual enrollment leading to an associate degree or 60 college credits. Career and technical education (CTE) programs, apprenticeships, or industry certifications. We believe that fully funding all post-CCR pathways for every eligible student may create significant financial strain on state and local budgets, and jeopardize the long-term sustainability of this initiative. Also, creating some guardrails for this generous opportunity may prevent overuse by some students who enroll in multiple pathways without a clear post-secondary or career plan, leading to wasted resources. Directing resources toward students who need them most ensures equitable access without overspending. As we look for ways to make the Blueprint affordable, reigning in these costs should be seriously considered by the Legislature. Providing unlimited access to these resources raises fiscal and academic concerns; their use should be targeted to students for whom they are academically appropriate and beneficial. To ensure the sustainability of this popular and successful initiative, LEAs should have the flexibility to develop and establish income eligibility guidelines and procedures for payment of costs for these post-CCR opportunities.  Therefore, PSSAM supports House Bill 29 and kindly requests a  favorable report .

BILL: HB 102 TITLE: Education - Dependent Children of Active Service Members DATE: January 29, 2026 POSITION: Favorable COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four public school superintendents, supports House Bill 102. This bill requires local school systems to allow a dependent child of a service member to apply for advance enrollment in a public school and specifies requirements for advance enrollment procedures. The Secretary of Veterans and Military Families, in consultation with specified entities, must publish and maintain information on (1) advance enrollment procedures and (2) any assistance and services available to service members regarding advance enrollment. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026. PSSAM appreciates the intent of House Bill 102 in addressing the challenges faced by current enrollment procedures for dependent students of service members. Last year PSSAM supported this legislation with amendments that have been incorporated into this year’s version of the bill. Therefore, PSSAM supports House Bill 102.

December 13, 2024 The Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), honor both Ms. Anna Ory, Marley Middle School assistant principal (Anne Arundel County), and Dr. La Faye Howard, Winston Churchill High School assistant principal (Montgomery County), as the recipients of the 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year award. This award recognizes the work of these outstanding instructional leaders in leading teaching, learning and student achievement, and fostering cultures that promote success for all stakeholders. The NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle and high school level assistant principals who have excelled in facilitating high quality instruction and learning opportunities positively impacting all students. These leaders are acknowledged by their peers and school communities for their exemplary contributions to the profession. The awards recognize leaders in the areas of curriculum, instruction and assessment as well as building professional learning within their schools that promote wellness, equity, student centeredness, results orientation and collaborative leadership and innovation. “Every great school has a phenomenal assistant principal working tirelessly behind the scenes, and we're celebrating two of the absolute best in Maryland today,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “Their remarkable work not only impacts their local communities but offers inspiring models for educators nationwide. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and sharing their innovative approaches that are making a real difference in students' lives.” Anna Ory was described by a colleague as “consistently fostering innovation and creativity in both the learning process and school culture. One key example is her redesign of the student support structure”. Ms. Ory’s former principal Kim Winterbottom, a previous NASSP National Finalist for Principal of the Year, and her current principal, John Noon, say that she is “proactive and positive across all aspects of school leadership, from student safety and well-being to the building of instructional capacity among teaching staff. Her leadership of Equity Learning Walks and student Town Halls demonstrate her willingness to be an active and visible leadership presence for students and staff”. A student stated, “We may not have realized just how essential her actions and work were at the time, but looking back, I realize that Ms. Ory would truly go above and beyond to make sure everyone felt comfortable so that everyday could be a good day at Marley Middle School.” La Faye Howard received accolades from a parent who stated, “Dr. Howard is kind, thoughtful, smart, creative, a wonderful communicator, an exceptional listener and can find ways to effectively follow up on what matters most even when there are seemingly insurmountable hurdles in the way. Her principal, John Taylor, describes her role in fostering a positive culture and reducing incidents of hate and bias by saying, “Dr. Howard heads up our No Place For Hate student group. With over 120 members, these students actively plan and implement lessons and activities that promote acceptance and safety for all students and works to stop and address in real time bullying and hate bias in our school.” Finally, her active and visible presence is highlighted by a student who stated, “Dr. Howard has played an instrumental role in ensuring students at Winston Churchill High School feel absolutely supported and safe. She is always present and active and immerses herself in connecting with students, which makes it very easy for any student to talk with her, ask for help, or just chat”.  Ms. Ory and Dr. Howard will both be eligible for consideration for the national award. They will join their fellow state nominees in Washington, DC on April 11, 2025 where NASSP will announce the 2025 NASSP National Middle Level and High School Assistant Principals of the Year during its National Education Leadership Awards ceremony. Ms. Anna Ory Marley Middle School Anne Arundel County Public Schools Dr. La Faye Howard Churchill High School Montgomery County Public Schools Source: Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals

The Today Show December 2, 2025 Featured on The Today Show on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, Caroline County Public Schools and other rural districts on the Eastern Shore of Maryland are tackling food insecurity. "At Greensboro Elementary School in Caroline County in Maryland, students are getting a valuable boost in nutrition thanks to the non-profit No Kid Hungry — and it extends beyond classroom walls. The school system sends food home on Fridays for families who need it over the weekend and it has also introduced the “mobile market” bus which brings a bounty of healthy foods out to remote areas. TODAY's Al Roker shines a spotlight on No Kid Hungry's mission to feed families." Source: The Today Show

Press Release from AASA HQ December 15, 2025 Contact: Lara Wade Director of Communications Mobile: 813-833-1498 lwade@aasa.org Honorees include superintendents from Kentucky, Texas, Maine and Maryland Alexandria, Va. – Dec. 15, 2025 –  AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is proud to announce the four finalists for the prestigious 2026 National Superintendent of the Year ® Award. This award, co-presented by AASA, Corebridge Financial , and Sourcewell , recognizes exceptional superintendents for their outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing public education in their communities. The finalists for the 2026 award are: Demetrus Liggins , Superintendent, Fayette County Public Schools, Ky. Roosevelt Nivens , Superintendent, Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, Texas       Heather Perry , Superintendent of Schools, Gorham School Department, Maine Sonia Santelises , Chief Executive Officer, Baltimore City Schools, Md. “These extraordinary leaders embody the transformative power of public education,” said David R. Schuler, AASA’s executive director. “Their visionary leadership uplifts students and demonstrates our continued commitment to providing every child with the opportunities, experiences, and education that prepares them for college, career, and real life in the real world. We are honored to celebrate their incredible success and accomplishments.” Each of the finalists were nominated by their state association and honored with the title of State Superintendent of the Year. The nominees were then measured against the following criteria: Leadership for Learning: Creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system. Communication: Strength in both personal and organizational communication. Professionalism: Constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team. Community Involvement: Active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues. “Strong leadership in our school systems is critical to the success of students, families, educators and communities,” said Terri Fiedler, president of Retirement Services at Corebridge Financial. “We are proud to partner with AASA in honoring these outstanding superintendents and their tireless work. They exemplify what it means to be an effective leader, positively impacting the lives of so many and helping shape the future of our nation.” “We recognize the critical role superintendents play in driving meaningful change now and in the future,” said Dr. Chad Coauette, CEO of Sourcewell. “We are honored to partner with AASA in celebrating these finalists, whose leadership shows the very best of public education and the vital roles of superintendents nationwide.” The four finalists will have an opportunity to meet the national education community during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, which will be livestreamed for journalists, public education advocates, and the finalist’s supporters throughout the U.S. The 2026 National Superintendent of the Year ® will be announced live during AASA’s National Conference on Education , February 12-14 in Nashville, Tennessee. A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year ® to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated or the school now serving the same area. For more information about the program, visit AASA’s website or contact Jennifer Rooney, AASA senior director, meetings and awards, at jrooney@aasa.org . Access a complete list of the 2026 State Superintendents of the Year, awarded independently by each state association, here . Source: AASA Press Release