North Carolina Named 2027 Superintendent Award Nominees
The state has identified eight candidates for the top education leadership honor to represent North Carolina.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Administration
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The North Carolina School Superintendents' Association has announced eight regional nominees for the 2027 Superintendent of the Year award. The selected winner will move on to compete in the National Superintendent of the Year competition in early 2027.
Why it matters
This award recognizes leadership excellence in K-12 public schools, highlighting the administrative heads responsible for regional student outcomes and district policies. The selection process reflects a broader commitment to professional development within the state education system.
Eight regional superintendents have been selected as finalists for the 2027 award. The winner will be determined through a joint selection process involving the North Carolina Association of School Administrators and the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association.
The players
Dr. Rob Jackson
An educator with 34 years of experience who now serves as the assistant executive director for the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association.
Dr. Crystal Hill
The former superintendent whose employment was terminated by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.
North Carolina School Superintendents' Association
The professional organization that oversees leadership development and advocate initiatives for district superintendents across the state.
The details
The award process honors leaders who demonstrate significant service to public K-12 institutions, with support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and Scholastic Education. The association also recently appointed Dr. Rob Jackson, an educator with 34 years of experience, to serve as assistant executive director to manage policy, advocacy, and development. Meanwhile, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education has undergone a leadership transition following a 5-4 board vote to terminate Dr. Crystal Hill.
Timeline
Sept. 21, 2026: Dr. Rob Jackson began his role as assistant executive director.
Sept. 22, 2026: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board voted to terminate Dr. Crystal Hill.
Oct. 8, 2026: The state Superintendent of the Year will be announced.
Feb. 25-27, 2027: The National Superintendent of the Year will be awarded in Atlanta.
The Home Front
This selection process follows the established annual pattern for the National Superintendent of the Year competition. It highlights the administrative turnover and leadership standards currently shaping local school district governance across the state.
Families should monitor their local school board meeting schedules, as administrative changes often lead to shifts in district-wide policies or priorities. Tracking these leadership roles helps parents understand who is responsible for the educational direction of their children's schools.
The takeaway
The nomination process highlights the importance of stable leadership in managing local school district quality. Families should look for information regarding the Oct. 8 announcement to see who will represent their interests at the upcoming national competition.
What happens next
The 2027 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year will be officially named on Oct. 8, 2026. Following this, the selected state winner will participate in the National Superintendent of the Year competition scheduled for Feb. 25-27, 2027, in Atlanta.
Further reading
For more updates on state leadership changes, visit Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EdNC.
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