Top 10 School District Superintendents - 2025

Dr. Kelvin Butts' career trajectory—from starting as a school bus driver to becoming a science teacher, central office administrator, and now Superintendent of Burr Oak Community School District—reads like a blueprint for ascending educational leadership.

Luke Meinert is the superintendent at Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. He is an innovative and future-focused educational leader known for challenging legacy systems to better prepare students for the evolving demands of the modern world.

Kimberlee Armstrong is a purpose-driven education leader committed to building inclusive, student-centered systems that create meaningful impact in and beyond the classroom. With a career that spans teaching, school leadership and district-level strategy, she approaches every role with clarity, compassion and a deep belief in the potential of every learner.

Matt Degner is a seasoned educational leader known for advancing district-wide academic success through strategic engagement, collaborative leadership and better alignment between schools and their communities. In an interview with Education Insider, he shed light on the role of community engagement in driving meaningful improvements in student learning. Degner also underscored the importance of inclusive leadership and strategic collaboration in driving educational outcomes.

Matt Montaño is the superintendent of Bernalillo Public Schools in New Mexico, a district he once served as a substitute teacher and later as a classroom educator, assistant principal, and principal. Since returning to lead his hometown schools, Montaño has championed educational equity, cultural responsiveness, and instructional leadership.

Dr. Joey Adame brings over 25 years of dedicated experience in the field of education. His leadership journey spans roles as assistant principal, principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, director, and superintendent. Throughout his career, Dr. Adame has been recognized for advancing academic achievement through sustainable, systemic change. Since 2017, Dr. Adame has been an active member of the University of California, Davis Superintendent Network, where he continues to collaborate and grow as a leader. He embraces a servant leadership philosophy, emphasizing  teamwork, shared  responsibility, and a commitment to equity. Under his guidance, Gonzales Unified School District is focused on cultivating a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous improvement for all students and staff.

Dr. Felicia Adams has 30 years of experience in urban education and a proven track record in school improvement. She has served as a teacher, teacher trainer, instructional supervisor, curriculum manager, elementary and secondary principal, School Support Officer, Officer of Academic Instructional Technology, Area Superintendent before serving in her current role as Superintendent at Southwest Public Schools in Houston, Texas.

Jeni Neatherlin's journey to becoming the superintendent of Hutto Independent School District (ISD) has been one of consistent growth, strategic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to student success. With a background as a teacher, coach, and administrator at various levels of education, Neatherlin has cultivated a unique blend of hands-on experience and executive insight that positions her as a transformative leader for the fast-growing district of Hutto, Texas.

Chad Lewis is an educator who is currently serving as the Superintendent of Sycamore Community Schools. With over two decades of experience in education, he has served as teacher, principal and assistant superintendent, championing operational efficiency and a culture of learning. As the superintendent, he oversees district operations and academics, ensuring smart use of resources and strong student performance.

Dr. Travis Depuydt has led North Central Area Schools (NCA) with vision, resilience, and a relentless focus on student-centered innovation. Since becoming superintendent, Dr. Depuydt has positioned the district as a model of rural educational leadership, securing more than $15.5 million in competitive grants—including a landmark $15.4 million Section 12d Internal Consolidation Grant. This funding is being used to transition NCA into a single, state-of-the-art K-12 facility that will unify studen