National Superintendent of the Year® Finalists Discuss Top-Priority Education Issues During Panel in Washington, D.C.

lwade@aasa.org

Jan. 10, 2025 - Washington, DC- School-to-career pipeline, political challenges, academic scores, school choice, the incoming administration, cell phones and the use of new tech and AI were among key topics covered by AASA’s 2025 National Superintendent of the Year^® Finalists as they reflected on the dynamic roles of superintendents, upcoming opportunities and lessons learned. 

Education Week’s Olina Banerji moderated the panel which was held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. before a packed audience that included AASA leadership and staff, local advocates of public education and education media. 

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT:

"Kids aren’t going to come to school just for math and literacy. They come for social relationships, culinary arts, PE, or to build a plane. As superintendents, we have to think beyond academics." - Debbie Jones, Bentonville School District, Ark. 

REALITIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

"In Peoria, we reimagined education to address teacher shortages and inequity. Today, our middle schoolers have greater access to advanced coursework like Algebra 1." - Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, Peoria Public School District 150, Ill.

LEADING IN A NEW ENVIRONMENT:

"I don’t have a particular problem with school choice. I have a problem that public schools have been left out of the conversation. For the previous two years, my school district put $4 million a year to provide that school choice. And I challenged them to look at allowing us to compete for the money that funds school choice. All of us—homeschool, charter schools, public schools—should be in that competitive process, and then we have to show that we’re sustaining it." - Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr., Jefferson County Schools, Ala.

SCHOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY:

"Transformation in public education begins with a clear understanding of what works and what doesn't. To move forward, we have to stop doing what isn’t effective. This means eliminating programs that don’t lead to high-paying, high-demand jobs, and focusing resources on areas that truly prepare students for the future. As we look at career pathways, we have to think about jobs that don’t even exist yet and ensure our students are prepared for that uncertainty. Public education needs to be strategic in designing programs that lead to industry certifications, and we must be willing to change course when something isn’t working. This is the bold, intentional work that is necessary for real transformation in our school systems." - David Moore, School District of Indian River County, Fla.

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 2025 National Superintendent of the Year® will be announced during AASA’s National Conference on Education, March 6-8, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

You can access the complete list of the 2025 State Superintendents of the Year, awarded independently by each state association, here.

For more information about the program, visit AASA’s website or contact Jennifer Rooney, AASA senior director, meetings and awards, at jrooney@aasa.org. 

You can watch the full briefing here: