The finalists named by AASA comprise a diverse group hailing from these states: Georgia, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Texas. "They are prime examples of what it means to be a superintendent in today's post-COVID world," AASA says.

A serious problem has presented itself. A corrosive combination of onerous re-enrollment requirements, arcane paperwork and the everyday obstacles of poverty—a nonworking phone, a missing backpack, the loss of a car—is in many cases preventing children from going back to school.

Peer support, school staff and psychology researchers are trying to keep up with the growing rate of mental health issues among K-12 students in Wisconsin while lawmakers debate boosts to funding.