Meridian superintendent named a finalist for AASA’s 2023 National Superintendent of the Year; Honorees include superintendents from Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota and New York

PJ Caposey, superintendent of the Meridian Community Unit School District #223, Stillman Valley, Ill., has been named a finalist in the National Superintendent of the Year.

AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2023 National Superintendent of the Year®. This distinction honors school system leaders throughout the country who are making a positive difference in the lives of the students they serve, in addition to ensuring the safety and wellness of their school communities.

Co-sponsored by AASA, Corebridge Financial (formerly known as AIG Life & Retirement) and

First Student, the 2023 National Superintendent of the Year® will be announced during AASA’s National Conference on Education, Feb. 16, in San Antonio, Texas.

The four finalists for the 2023 National Superintendent of the Year® are:

PJ Caposey, Meridian Community Unit School District #223, Stillman Valley, Ill.

Matthew Hillmann, Northfield Public Schools, ISD 659, Northfield, Minn.

Kevin McGowan, Brighton Central Schools, Rochester, N.Y.

Trent North, Douglas County School System, Douglasville, Ga.

“It is an honor to congratulate this year’s finalists. We are inspired by their leadership and commitment, and we are thankful for their dedication to students, school employees and the community,” said Terri Fiedler, president of retirement services, Corebridge Financial. “At Corebridge Financial, we are proud to support AASA and the National Superintendent of the Year® program.”

“These outstanding leaders change lives, from the students, families, faculty and staff in their school districts to their broader communities, helping to ensure a better future for all of us,” said John Kenning, CEO and president, First Student. “The four superintendents selected for this prestigious recognition represent the hallmark of education excellence. As a partner in education to school districts across North America, First Student is proud to join AASA in celebrating the profound contributions these leaders are making to create positive learning environments in our classrooms.”

“The four individuals we’re honoring exemplify the great leadership our superintendents are providing in our school systems on a 24/7 basis across the country,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “The four champions for children being named today are lighting a path to create future-driven best practices on behalf of the students and staff they represent. They’re pushing the envelope to generate positive teaching and learning in the classrooms they oversee. We are grateful to Corebridge Financial and First Student for supporting our program.”

The National Superintendent of the Year® finalists will have an opportunity to meet the national education community during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The briefing will begin at 2 p.m.

The National Superintendent of the Year® program, now in its 36th year, is open to all U.S. superintendents who plan to continue in the profession. The program also honors international school superintendents. The applicants were measured against the following criteria:

Leadership for learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in the 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

A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2023 National Superintendent of the Year® to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated or the school now serving the same area.

For more information about the program, contact Jennifer Rooney, AASA director, meetings and awards, at [email protected].