Introducing District Administration’s 2026 award winners

Two superintendents have received awards for their groundbreaking gains in student academics and community-centered leadership.

Dr. Jeff Horton, superintendent of the Southwest Metro Intermediate School District 288 in Minnesota, was recognized at the District Administration Leadership Institute National Superintendents Summit as 2026’s Superintendent of the Year.

The award is part of District Administration’s Awards of Distinction Program, which recognizes education leaders and initiatives driving meaningful change across six categories: Academic Acceleration, Community & Family Engagement, Culture, Vision & Strategic Planning, Professional Development & Wellness, STEM & Career Pathways, Student Engagement & Wellbeing, as well as exceptional Women of Distinction and Leaders of Distinction.

Dr. Horton is most known for his bold, community-centered leadership, conducting more than 1,000 listening sessions, achieving full staffing for the first time in a decade and engaging 38,000 stakeholders in shaping the district’s future.

Dr. Carmen Balgobin, superintendent of Florida’s Volusia County Schools, has also been named District Administration’s 2026 Woman of the Year. Throughout her tenure, she’s been instrumental in improving academic gains and dramatically reducing the district’s rates of absenteeism.

Districts of Distinction

Meanwhile, six districts were recognized as District Administration’s Districts of Distinction, an award highlighting districts that have proven successful in one of the six categories mentioned earlier.

This year’s winners include:

• Academic Excellence: Englewood Public School District, New Jersey
• Community & Family Engagement: Kenton County School District, Kentucky
• Culture, Vision & Strategic Planning: St. Vrain Valley Schools, Colorado
• Professional Development & Wellness: Itasca School District 10, Illinois
• STEM & Career Pathways: Collierville Schools, Tennessee
• Student Engagement & Well-Being: Springfield Public Schools, Missouri

Leaders of Distinction

Additionally, the Leaders of Distinction award honors individuals spearheading groundbreaking initiatives and inspiring educational progress within their districts. This year’s leaders include:

• Dr. Rui Dionisio: Fair Lawn Public Schools, New Jersey
• Dr. Adam Ehrman: Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53, Illinois
• Dr. Joseph Famularo: Bellmore Union Free School District, New York
• Dr. Marnie Hazelton, Ed.D: Englewood Public School District, New Jersey
• Scott Olinger: Plainfield Community School Corporation, Indiana
• Glenn Robbins: Brigantine Public School District, New Jersey
• Bill Runey: Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools, Massachusetts

Women of Distinction

Finally, District Administration recognizes five Women of Distinction for their exceptional leadership, resulting in elevated student outcomes and opportunities. This year’s awardees include:

• Lindy Beckman: Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Hemlock Public School District, Michigan
• Djeneba (DJ) Cherif: Chief Academic Officer, University Prep Schools, Michigan
• Yolanda Conaway: Assistant Superintendent, Palo Alto Unified School District, California
• Dr. Tahira DuPree Chase: Superintendent of Schools, Westbury Union Free School District, New York
• Dr. Sally Parish: Director of Schools, University of Schools, Tennessee

This year’s award winners honor the growing number of leaders who are adapting to the evolving role of the superintendency, which goes beyond operational management, said Amy Dujon, vice president of education for Community EDU.

“Our award winners embody a new model of leadership—one that unites vision, trust, and community engagement to build resilient, future-focused school systems.”