Superintendent of the Year

Since 1984, the Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) award program has honored outstanding administrators for achievement and excellence in public school administration. These school leaders exhibit exemplary and visionary leadership toward improving student performance. They are chosen for their strong leadership skills, dedication to improving the quality of education in their districts, and commitment to public support and involvement in education.

2024 Schedule

  • January: Nomination materials posted online. 
  • April 19: Nomination submissions due to designated ESC
  • June 28: Regional screening completed and nominations submitted to TASB
  • August: All regional winners interviewed and five finalists chosen by the TASB State Selection Committee
  • September: Finalists interviewed and Superintendent of the Year chosen by TASB State Selection Committee
  • September 28: Presentation of the award at txEDCON2024 TASA | TASB Convention

Eligibility and nominations

A local school board that is currently an “Active Member” of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) may nominate its superintendent. Nominees for the 2024 award must meet the following requirements:

  • Have served as a superintendent of the district since September 1, 2021 (interim positions do not count)
  • Be a member of the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)
  • Be certified and meet the State Board for Educator Certification continuing professional education requirement
  • Be an active superintendent at the time of the txEDCON24

Superintendents who receive the top state award cannot be nominated again during the following five-year period. This rule does not apply to superintendents who were named regional winners or state finalists.

Selection procedure

TASB Regional Screening Committees

The education service center will coordinate the regional screening. School board members serving on the regional screening committee are from districts that do not have superintendents nominated for the award and do not have board members on the TASB State Selection Committee. Each regional screening committee will submit one nomination to the TASB State Selection Committee.

TASB State Selection Committee

The State Selection Committee is typically composed of TASB directors appointed by the TASB president to serve on the TASB Member Services Committee. A director may not serve if the superintendent from his or her district is being considered.

Award and sponsor

The district of the Superintendent of the Year award receives a $5,000 award, which will be presented at the txEDCON24. The award program is underwritten by Balfour and sponsored by TASB. The winner also receives a ring from Balfour. The districts of the four state finalists each receive $1,000.

If you have questions, call us at 800.580.8272 or e-mail soty@tasb.org.