Topic
Follow the latest leadership developments across US K-12 education. Superintendent, CIO, CTO and senior K-12 leadership changes.
Last updated: October 6, 2026
As of October 7, 2026, K-12 News has published 16 leadership stories over the last 30 days, across 11 states and 12 organizations. The most active states are Georgia, New York and California.
A student at North Gwinnett High School in Gwinnett County Public Schools has been chosen to serve on the Georgia state school superintendent’s student advisory council.
Gettysburg Area School District has received more than $490,000 in state safety and mental health grants since Gov. Josh Shapiro took office, using some funds to hire social workers.
The school board in Georgia’s DeKalb County has selected Dr. Norman C. Sauce III as superintendent, placing him at the helm of the county’s school district.
Nevada’s Clark County School District recognized its custodians for keeping schools clean, safe and ready for students, and shared a message from Superintendent Jhone Ebert.
Wake County honored Dillard Drive Magnet Elementary’s Roxann Sykes and South Garner High’s Xavier Wallace-McGrew as its 2026-27 principal and assistant principal of the year, respectively.
NYC Public Schools recognised pupils, educators and other employees at the Climate Leadership Awards, honouring members of the city's public school community.
Quick look: Project Tomorrow CEO Julie Evans joins Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean on FutureCurrent to share what students are saying about artificial intelligence, self-directed learning and their own futures — and why educators may want to listen. Students aren’t necessarily waitin…
The Mississippi Department of Education named 144 students to its 2026-27 advisory council. Members include 11th- and 12th-graders and college freshmen attending Mississippi colleges or universities.
Message from the Superintendent about preventing gun violence.
Massachusetts Gov. Healey selected leaders in K-12 education in the western part of the state and universal preschool to serve on the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
Dr. Norman C. Sauce III Approved as the Sole Finalist for Superintendent
AASA and NSPRA opened registration for joint training for superintendents, communications leaders and district teams, covering civic engagement, district identity and crisis communication.
NYC Public Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels greeted students across all five New York City boroughs as they returned to class for the start of the 2026–2027 academic year.
Maryland’s top education official reported that the share of students who are chronically absent has fallen over four years, in an announcement from the state education department.
DeKalb County Board of Education to Consider Approval of Dr. Norman C. Sauce III as Superintendent Finalist
Erica Phillips has been named deputy chancellor to lead NYC Public Schools’ early childhood education division. Chancellor Samuels made the appointment in New York.
Florida education Commissioner Mack announced leadership changes at the state Department of Education aimed at improving collaboration and reducing organizational silos.
New York City Mayor Mamdani and schools Chancellor Samuels announced a moratorium on generative AI in schools, affecting the city’s public education system.
Superintendent of Schools
Commissioner of Education
CEO
Governor
Board Member
Chancellor
Governor
Math Teacher
Governor
Superintendent
Assistant Principal
Chief Executive Officer
State and district education leaders are making appointments and involving teachers and students in governance: Florida named a new education commissioner, New York City appointed an early childhood deputy chancellor, Missouri added its first active classroom teacher to the state board, and Illinois selected a student advisory council. Technology policies differ across jurisdictions, with New York City announcing a generative AI moratorium while Illinois issued nonbinding AI guidance and Connecticut recommended bell-to-bell limits on personal devices without a statewide mandate. Illinois increased school funding and awarded teacher recruitment and retention grants, while New York City expanded pre-K special education and Mississippi began implementing statewide math and adolescent literacy initiatives for 2026–27. Maryland reported a four-year decline in chronic absenteeism.
States and districts are taking different approaches to AI in education: Florida’s responsible-use approach spans prekindergarten through college, Illinois has issued nonbinding K-12 guidance, and New York City has announced a generative AI moratorium in public schools. Missouri is expanding access to free AI training and tools while leaving school adoption decisions local, and Massachusetts is expanding paid AI internships for 400 students through a $500,000 public-private investment. In higher education, Idaho has announced seven AI innovation awards across five colleges and universities.
Early childhood education is part of leadership changes and broader education policy efforts in Massachusetts, Florida and New York City. Massachusetts appointed universal preschool leaders to its Foundation Budget Review Commission, issued PROTECT Act guidance for schools and child care providers, and partnered with Project Bread to provide free meals in child care and afterschool programs. New York City is expanding pre-K special education and appointed a new deputy chancellor for early childhood education. Florida’s approach to responsible AI use in education includes voluntary prekindergarten alongside K-12 schools and colleges.
States are expanding career pathways and hands-on learning through grants, new facilities and work placements, including apprenticeships and work-based learning in Florida, paid AI internships in Massachusetts and a manufacturing lab at Mililani High School in Hawaii. Pennsylvania awarded $3.5 million to broaden career pathways, while Mississippi launched a statewide initiative connecting classroom lessons with college and careers for the 2026–27 school year. Rhode Island and Maryland are working with Advance CTE to expand pathway access with student participation in program and policy design. At the federal level, a stopgap spending measure maintained Perkins V career and technical education funding at current levels through December 11.
Chronic absenteeism declined in Maryland, Connecticut and Colorado, with Maryland reporting a four-year decline. Connecticut’s rate fell to 16.4% in 2025–26 from 23.7% in 2021–22, while Colorado’s fell to 27.5%, its lowest level in four years, as attendance edged up to 91.5% from 91.4% a year earlier. Colorado education officials also partnered with the Denver Broncos Foundation and Attendance Works to launch a 53-school network offering training and resources to improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism.
Connecticut is expanding K–3 reading interventions and educator coaching through a five-year, $10 million grant covering 75 elementary schools, while Massachusetts is continuing early literacy tutoring funding for 338 schools and awarded nearly $25 million for literacy instruction. Nine Pennsylvania teacher preparation programs received accreditation aligned with structured literacy standards, and Mississippi designated science-of-reading schools and is implementing a statewide adolescent literacy initiative for 2026–27. Indiana reported its fifth consecutive year of rising literacy rates, while Colorado reported elementary literacy gains alongside persistent achievement gaps and declining middle school English language arts scores. In Maine, the number of students earning biliteracy recognition rose 18 percent, and the number of high schools offering it grew 11.5 percent.
Based on: With Shapiro Administration Investments in Student Mental Health, Highly Qualified Social Workers Are Supporting Gettysburg Area School District Students
Based on: AASA and NSPRA Launch Leadership for Public Trust, a New Professional Learning Experience for District Leaders
Based on: Mayor Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels Put Students First with Nation’s Broadest Generative AI Moratorium in Schools
Based on: EES Student Wellness Screener + Superintendent’s Listening & Learning Tour Student Survey
Based on: Governor Lamont and Education Commissioner Russell-Tucker Announce Connecticut Receives $10 Million Grant Award to Strengthen Early Literacy Supports
Based on: The Promise of Hope: AASA's 2026 Back-to-School Campaign
