Dr. Kim Hiel Named 2027 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year
News Release
For Immediate Release: October 23, 2026
Contact:
Matt Hillmann, Executive Director, MASA | matt.hillmann@mnasa.org | (651) 645-6272
MEDFORD, MN — The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named Dr. Kim Hiel, Superintendent of Osseo Area Schools, the 2027 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. As Minnesota's honoree, Dr. Hiel is now a candidate for National Superintendent of the Year, which will be announced during the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Conference on Education, February 25-27, 2027, in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Hiel was selected for this honor by an independent panel of representatives from Minnesota education organizations, based on her leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism, and community involvement.
The Minnesota Superintendent of the Year Award is proudly sponsored by ATSR, Planners/Architects/Engineers.
“Dr. Hiel's leadership reflects a deep commitment to ensuring every student has access to the opportunities and support they need to succeed. Her ability to bring people together, build trust and navigate complex challenges demonstrates the importance of listening and collaboration in public education,” said MASA Executive Director Matt Hillmann. “Through her focus on academic achievement, community engagement and inclusive leadership, Dr. Hiel is making a meaningful difference for students, families and staff across Osseo Area Schools. We are proud to recognize Dr. Kim Hiel as the 2027 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year.”
Expanding College and Career Readiness for All Students
Since becoming superintendent of Osseo Area Schools in 2023, Dr. Hiel has prioritized expanding access to rigorous learning opportunities and closing achievement gaps across the district. Under her leadership, the district adopted a schoolwide approach to Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) across its secondary schools, embedding strategies that strengthen academic skills, student confidence, and college and career readiness.
This systemwide approach has contributed to measurable progress. During the 2024-25 school year, 71% of high school students met at least one college and career readiness indicator, including participation in advanced coursework, professional certifications, internships, and other postsecondary preparation opportunities. Students across racial and demographic groups demonstrated growth, with particularly significant gains among students receiving special education services, whose college and career readiness rate increased from 27% to 52% in one year. The number of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals also increased from 59% to 71%.
These improvements reflect Dr. Hiel's commitment to creating a culture of achievement in which rigorous learning is accessible to all students, regardless of background or circumstance.
Building Trust Through Community Engagement
Central to Dr. Hiel's leadership is a human-centered philosophy known as “Holding Space,” which emphasizes listening, empathy, and meaningful relationships. Through this approach, she has worked to strengthen connections among students, families, staff, and community members across the district's eight communities.
In partnership with the school board, Dr. Hiel introduced Community Conversations, combining stakeholder surveys with facilitated discussions to better understand community priorities and concerns. The district's 2026 community survey reflected strong public confidence, with 91% of respondents expressing trust in the district to do what is right for students and 87% reporting that they feel heard and valued.
Dr. Hiel also helped lead an extensive community engagement process during the district's first major attendance boundary adjustments in more than 15 years. Affecting approximately 2,000 students, the process incorporated community listening sessions, multilingual outreach and a districtwide ThoughtExchange that engaged nearly 3,000 participants. In response to family feedback, the district introduced a Remain in Place option for eligible students entering their final year at their current schools. The school board unanimously approved the final boundary adjustments in May 2025.
Strengthening Governance and Community Investment
Leading one of Minnesota's largest and most diverse school districts, Dr. Hiel has emphasized transparency, collaboration, and effective school board governance. Through regular communication, professional development, and opportunities for meaningful dialogue, she has worked to strengthen relationships among district leaders and community stakeholders.
These efforts are reflected in the district's 2026 community survey, in which 85% of respondents rated the school board's job performance favorably, an increase of 17 percentage points since 2023.
Dr. Hiel has also supported community investment in public education through strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. In November 2023, Osseo Area Schools voters approved a $225 million bond referendum with more than 61% support. The funding supports school safety improvements, modernized academic spaces, career and technical education facilities, and additional classroom capacity to meet enrollment needs.
The district's referendum outreach included multilingual communications, school-based engagement teams, and targeted information for families across its communities, helping connect long-term facility investments with student learning opportunities.
A Career Dedicated to Educational Leadership
Dr. Hiel has been a Minnesota superintendent since 2018, currently serving at Osseo Area Schools. Her career also includes service as assistant superintendent and elementary principal in Osseo Area Schools, as well as principal and assistant principal roles in Robbinsdale Area Schools.
Dr. Hiel's professional honors include the MASA Region 9 Administrator of Excellence Award, the MASA Richard Green Award, the Minnesota School Board Directors of Color and Indigenous Fellowship Lighthouse Award, and the Minnesota Elementary and Middle School Science and Mathematics Principal of the Year Award.
Her professional and community involvement includes service on the MASA Board of Directors, the Association of Metropolitan School Districts Executive Committee of Superintendents, and the Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations. She has also served as an adjunct professor at St. Cloud State University and Hamline University.
Dr. Hiel earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from St. Cloud State University, an Educational Specialist Degree in Administration from the University of St. Thomas, a Master's in Education from Hamline University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota.
The Minnesota Superintendent of the Year Award recipient is selected annually through an independent review process administered by MASA. Applications are scored by representatives from the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association, Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals, Minnesota School Boards Association, Minnesota Rural Education Association, Association of Metropolitan School Districts, Minnesota Administrators of Special Education, Minnesota Association of School Business Officials, Education Minnesota, and a former Minnesota Superintendent of the Year honoree.
For more information on the AASA Superintendent of the Year Program, please visit www.aasa.org.
MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota's school leaders, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of special education and other central office administrators, as well as state department administrators, college and university professors and other educators throughout Minnesota dedicated to educational leadership for students.
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