The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) is inviting nominations for the 2025 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. The recipient of this prestigious award will be a candidate among other state winners for the National Superintendent of the Year. The 2025 AASA National Superintendent of the Year will be announced at the AASA National Conference on Education, March 6-8, 2025 in New Orleans.

The program pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead our state’s public schools. Any superintendent, chancellor, or top leader of a school system in Minnesota who plans to continue in the profession may be nominated. This program is designed to recognize the outstanding leadership of active, front-line superintendents.

Each candidate for the National Superintendent of the Year Award must first be named by their state association as the State Superintendent of the Year.

Each State Superintendent of the Year is judged on the following criteria:

• Leadership for Learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system.
• Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication.
• Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team.
• Community Involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues. 

Please nominate your superintendent at http://soy.aasa.org. Click on the NOMINATE button. The nomination deadline is August 2, 2024.

This award is proudly sponsored by ATSR.

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For further information contact:

Taylor Ethen, Executive Assistant
MASA – Minnesota Association of School Administrators
Phone: 651-789-4062
[email protected]

Jennifer Rooney, Assistant Director, Meetings & Awards
AASA – The School Superintendents Association
1615 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-875-0709
[email protected]

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Recipients of the Minnesota Superintendent of the Year Award
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2024
Laurie Putnam, Superintendent, St. Cloud Area School District | News Release

2024
Joe Gothard, Superintendent, Saint Paul Public Schools | News Release

2023
Matthew Hillmann, Superintendent of Northfield Public Schools | News Release

2022
Michael Funk, Superintendent of Albert Lea Area Schools | News Release

2021
Wayne Kazmierczak, White Bear Lake Area School District | News Release

2020
David Law, Anoka-Hennepin School District

2019
Jay Haugen, Farmington Area Public Schools

2018
Deb Henton, North Branch Area Schools

2017
Curt Tryggestad, Eden Prairie Schools

2016
Daniel Bittman, Sauk Rapids-Rice School District

2015
Sandra Lewandowski, Intermediate District 287

2014
Kate Maguire, Osseo Area Schools

2013
Jeff Olson, Saint Peter Public Schools

2012
Chris Richardson, Northfield Public Schools

2011
Scott Staska, Rocori Public Schools

2010
Patty Phillips, No. St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District

2009
Dennis Peterson, Minnetonka Public Schools

2008
Mark Robertson, Fridley Public Schools

2007
Don Helmstetter, Spring Lake Park Schools

2006
Gary Prest, Bloomington Public Schools

2005
Ben Kanninen, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

2004
Kay Worner, Sartell-St. Stephen Schools

2003
Ken Dragseth, Edina Public Schools

2002
Carol Johnson, Minneapolis Public Schools

2001
Theodore Blaesing, White Bear Lake Schools

2000
Laverne (Bob) Lageson, Big Lake Public Schools

1999
Michael L. Kremer, Hopkins Public Schools

1998
Gregory A. Vandal, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools

1997
Chris L. Huber, Spring Lake Park Schools

1996
James R. Rickabaugh, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

1995
Donald Groth, Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools

1994
Lowell D. Larson, Richfield Public Schools

1993
Marl Ramsey, Osseo Area Schools

1992
John R. McClellan, Centennial School District

1991
James R. Walker, North Branch Area Schools

1990
Donald R. Draayer, Minnetonka Public Schools

1989
Gerald L. McCoy, Eden Prairie Public Schools

1988
Glenn G. Matejka, Hutchinson Public Schools