The Superintendent of the Year Award recognizes
and honors Kentucky’s superintendents for the contributions they make
every day advocating for public education, our children, and our future. Any Kentucky public-school superintendent
who plans to continue in the profession may be nominated
(self-nominations are also accepted).
The award is presented annually through a
competitive application process based on a superintendent’s talent and
vision in the areas of leadership for learning, communication,
professionalism, and community involvement.
Thank you to 
for partnering with KASA for the prestigious award!
Application Information & Procedure
The AASA National Superintendent of the Year (SOY)
program, pays tribute to the talent and
vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools. The
KASA State Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by American
Fidelity and KASA, is the springboard to the national award program.
Eligibility & Criteria
Any superintendent,
of a public school in Kentucky, who plans to continue in the profession
may be nominated. This program is designed to recognize the outstanding
leadership of active, front-line superintendents. It is not a recognition
of service at retirement or a program to reward current state or
national leaders.
Each candidate is judged on 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.
Steps for Nomination or Application
- Go to soy.aasa.org and fill out the simple nomination form under "Nominate for State Award." Click on "Nominate Someone." Once submitted, AASA will notify the nominee with instructions on how to submit their application.
- The nominee then visits soy.aasa.org and under "Apply Now" click on "Get Started" to complete the application.
Selection Process
State
- A statewide blue-ribbon judging panel, made up of distinguished education and business leaders, selects the KASA State Superintendent of the Year and three finalists.
- The selection follows a specific set of criteria and timeline.
- The chosen KASA State Superintendent of the Year will go on to represent Kentucky in the national competition.
National
- A national blue-ribbon judging panel reviews all eligible State Superintendents of the Year.
- The panel selects four finalists for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.
- These finalists participate in in-person interviews in Washington, D.C.
- The final selection is based on submitted applications and the interviews.
Recognition for State & National Superintendent of the Year
- The KASA State Superintendent of the Year will be announced during the KASA Annual Leadership Institute in July.
- A $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a high
school senior in the superintendent’s district.
A bronze eagle sculpture, Superintendent of the Year ring, and
travel reimbursement to and from AASA’s national conference on education
is awarded to the KASA State Superintendent of the Year.
- The AASA National Superintendent of the Year is announced at the AASA National Conference on Education.
- A $10,000 scholarship is awarded to a
senior student in the high school from which the National Superintendent
of the Year graduated, or to a senior student in a high school in the
district from which the National Superintendent of the Year is the
current superintendent.
- The KASA State Superintendent of the
Year is honored at the AASA National Conference on Education during a
general session and a Kentucky reception.
Timeline for Superintendent of the Year Program
May 23 Deadline for Kentucky nominations to be completed at soy.aasa.org. (View steps for nomination above)
June 20 Deadline for nominee completed applications to be received online for KASA State
Superintendent of the Year at soy.aasa.org. (View steps for nomination above)
July 25 Announce & recognize the 2026 SOY at KASA's Annual Leadership Institute
August District Recognition
Nov - Feb. AASA activities & Kentucky Reception
For more information, contact Dr. Rhonda
Caldwell, KASA Chief Executive Officer at (859) 583-5652.