Superintendent of Schools (state executive office)
From Ballotpedia
The superintendent of schools, also known as the superintendent of education, superintendent of public instruction, secretary of education, or chief school administrator, is a statewide office responsible for overseeing and coordinating the state's elementary and secondary schools.
Within the U.S., school superintendents are usually selected by members of the particular district's school board. Often, the superintendent sits on the board as a non-voting member. School boards may consist of either appointed or elected members. Likewise, the superintendent's position also varies by state.
HIGHLIGHTS
Some states may require a candidate for the superintendency to hold a Ph.D., Ed.D., or similar terminal degree. An active teaching certification is also a common requirement.
An appointed superintendent may have a set term and thus be subject to reappointment. In addition to this, appointed superintendents serve at the pleasure of the appointing body or official and may be fired or asked to resign. For instance, in August of 2010, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie dismissed the state's Commissioner of Education.[1]
Method of selection
Although superintendents of schools are appointed in the majority of states, 12 states hold elections for the office. In those states where the state superintendent is appointed, 18 give the power of appointment to the governor, while 18 give the power of appointment to the state Board of Education. The remaining two states—New York and Rhode Island—give the power of appointment to the state university's Board of Regents.
Partisan affiliation
Although the position of state superintendent is nonpartisan in 43 states, eight of the 12 states where the office is elected hold partisan elections.
Compensation
According to compensation figures for 2023 compiled by the Council of State Governments in the Book of the States, the highest salary for a state superintendent was $337,006 in Maryland, while the lowest was $85,000 in Arizona. To view the compensation of a specific superintendent, hover your mouse cursor over the state.
Current officeholders
List of current superintendents of schools
The table below lists all superintendents of schools by state. It also shows any vacancies, if applicable.
Election history
2025
- See also: State executive official elections, 2025
One state is holding elections for superintendent of schools in 2025:
2024
- See also: State executive official elections, 2024
Four states held elections for superintendent of schools in 2024:
2023
- See also: State executive official elections, 2023
No state held elections for superintendent of schools in 2023.
2022
- See also: State executive official elections, 2022
Seven states held elections for superintendent of schools in 2022:
2021
- See also: State executive official elections, 2021
One state held elections for superintendent of schools in 2021:
2020
- See also: State executive official elections, 2020
Four states held elections for superintendent of schools in 2020:
2018
- See also: State executive official elections, 2018
Seven states held elections for superintendent of schools in 2018:
2017
One state held an election for superintendent of schools in 2017:
2016
Five states held elections for superintendent of schools in 2016:
2015
No superintendent elections were scheduled during the 2015 cycle.
2014
- See also: State executive official elections, 2014
Seven states held regularly scheduled superintendent elections in the 2014 electoral cycle:
2013
Wisconsin was the only state with a scheduled superintendent election in the 2013 electoral cycle. Incumbent superintendent Tony Evers ran for and won re-election to the nonpartisan post. He defeated one challenger, Republican state Rep. Don Pridemore, in the general election on April 2, 2013, earning approximately 61 percent of the vote.
2012
Five states held scheduled superintendent elections in the 2012 electoral cycle: Indiana, Montana, North Dakota, North Carolina and Washington. Only North Dakota Superintendent Wayne Sanstead opted not to seek re-election. Kirsten Baesler was elected to succeed Sanstead, while three of the four incumbents were re-elected on November 6, 2012. The exception was Indiana Superintendent Tony Bennett (R), who was defeated by challenger Glenda Ritz (D) in the general election.
See also
- State executive offices
- State executive official elections, 2022
- State executive official elections, 2023
- State executive official elections, 2024
External links
Footnotes
| Superintendents of Schools | |
|---|---|
| Elected (by voters) | Arizona • California • Georgia • Idaho • Montana • North Carolina • North Dakota • Oklahoma • Oregon • South Carolina • Washington • Wisconsin • Wyoming |
| Appointed (by gov.) | Alabama • Alaska • Arkansas • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Hawaii • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • Ohio • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • West Virginia |
| Elections | |
| Other |
| State executive offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offices |  | |
| States | Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming | |
| Elections | ||
| Features |