Superintendent of the Year
The Montana Association of School Superintendents (MASS), in collaboration with the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), annually recognizes and rewards outstanding leadership in the superintendency. This program seeks to honor those strong Montana school district leaders who work successfully with their entire learning communities to provide the highest quality education that is possible.
The 2023 Montana Superintendent of the Year will be announced during MCEL 2022, recognized during the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Conference on Education in February 2023, and will go on to compete for the National Superintendent of the Year.
2022-23 MASS Regional Superintendents of the Year
- Western Region – Dr. Mike Perry - Arlee School District
- North West Region – Amy Piazzola - Cayuse Prairie School District
- North Central Region – Erica Allen - Dutton/Brady School District
- North East Region – Wade Sundby - Glasgow School District
- 4 Rivers Region – Casey Klasna - Ennis School District
- South Central Region – Allison Evertz - Joliet School District
- Central Region – Nicole Hanson - Lavina School District
- South East Region – Stephen Schriebeis - Glendive School District
- Hi-Line Region – Tim Bronk - CJI School District
Dr. Mike Perry, Superintendent at Arlee Public Schools, was selected as the 2022-23 Superintendent of the Year for Montana. The award is sponsored by the Montana Association of School Superintendents (MASS).
Dr. Mike Perry, Superintendent at Arlee Public Schools, was selected as the 2022-23 Superintendent of the Year for Montana and honored at the annual Montana Conference of Education Leadership (MCEL) held on October 19-21, 2022 in Missoula. The award is sponsored by the Montana Association of School Superintendents (MASS).
Dr. Perry is in his twenty-fifth year in education having served as a teacher, principal, athletic director, and superintendent in both Washington and Montana. He currently serves as the superintendent at Arlee Public Schools, a position he has held since 2020. Dr. Perry also serves as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Montana in Missoula, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, Master of Education in Educational Leadership, and Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership. Dr. Perry is committed to supporting school and district leaders to provide an exceptional public education to all Montana students. This dedication is exhibited by his willingness to represent Montana on the Governing Board for The School Superintendents Association (AASA) and in holding several leadership roles for MASS: Western Region President, President-Elect, President, and Past President.
Dr. Perry stated in his application, “Entering my 25th year in education, the last 11 as a superintendent, I still look forward to every day as an opportunity to positively impact the lives of students and provide them with the tools to be anything they desire. The experiences that I had as a student, teacher and principal have served to shape my leadership style and impact my goals as a superintendent.” Dr. Perry wants every student to feel that they are valued and have a voice in their education. The years he has spent in education have been focused on making school a life-altering place to be for all students and a place of safety and security. He believes that every student deserves to be seen, heard, and known in their school.
Dr. Rob Watson, Executive Director for School Administrators of Montana (SAM), stated, “Dr. Perry is an experienced superintendent who has many years working in Montana schools. His dedication to kids and his commitment to his staff make him an excellent candidate to represent all Montana superintendents as the State Superintendent of the Year.”
The Montana Association of School Superintendents (MASS), in collaboration with AASA, annually recognizes and rewards the outstanding leadership of school superintendents. This program seeks to honor those strong Montana school district leaders who work successfully with their entire learning communities to provide the highest quality education that is possible. Candidates for both the Montana and the National Superintendent of the Year are measured by the following criteria: Leadership for learning, Communication, Professionalism, and Community involvement.
Now in its 36th year, the AASA National Superintendent of the Year Program pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead our nation's public schools. This program is sponsored by First Student, Corebridge Financial, and AASA. Dr. Perry will be recognized during the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Conference on Education in February 2023 and will go on to compete for the National Superintendent of the Year.
Past Montana Superintendents of the Year
