Superintendent Roosevelt Nivens of the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District has been named the 2026 AASA National Superintendent of the Year.
Nivens, who leads one of the fastest-growing districts in Texas, according to The School Superintendents Association, is adding nearly 2,000 students every year. Under his leadership, the district has opened 15 new schools since he was hired in 2021.
“The foundation of all my decisions is to make sure students have great experiences, experiences that they probably never could have received if it wasn’t for us,” he told AASA.
He’s also passed two major infrastructure bonds totaling $3.5 billion, launched an in-school charter school for students with autism, and is opening the Lamar CISD CTE Center in August, which will partner with the charter to give students opportunities to work professionally with people with autism.
The other three finalists for the award were:
- Demetrus Liggins, Fayette County Public Schools, KY
- Heather Perry, Gorham School Department, ME
- Sonja Santelises, Baltimore City Schools, MD
Women in School Leadership Awards
Two female leaders were also recognized at AASA’s National Conference on Education: Janeen Peretin, assistant to the superintendent at Pennsylvania’s Baldwin-Whitehall School District, and Myriam Rogers, superintendent at Maryland’s Baltimore County Public Schools.
Both women were evaluated on their leadership in meeting students’ learning needs, their personal and organizational communication skills, and their professional knowledge and community involvement.
Peretin, who joined the district in 2003 as a high school math teacher, has led nationally recognized innovations in technology, esports and STEM. Her leadership has resulted in several technological advancements for the district, including securing a 1-to-1 Chromebook initiative, classroom digital display boards, Google Workspace for Education and the Canvas LMS.
Rogers began her career in Baltimore County classrooms in 1996 as a chemistry teacher. Since then, she’s held leadership roles as a principal in Montgomery County, executive director for secondary schools, chief of organizational effectiveness and deputy superintendent.
Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to inclusive practices, strategic planning and high-impact learning environments.
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