Glades County superintendent named national finalist for top school leadership award

Dr. Alice E. Barfield, superintendent of Florida’s Glades County School District, is one of three national finalists for the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year Award. The recognition highlights a district turnaround that lifted Glades County’s ranking, boosted graduation outcomes and expanded college and career pathways in a rural community.

Why it matters: - Dr. Alice E. Barfield’s selection puts rural school leadership and district turnaround work on a national stage. - The finalist status highlights measurable gains in a district that serves a high-poverty, historically low-performing community. - The award recognizes leadership tied to student achievement, organizational performance and community impact.

What happened: - The National Association of School Superintendents named Barfield one of three national finalists for the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year Award. - Barfield leads the Glades County School District in Moore Haven, Florida. - The winner will be announced in October 2026 during NASS’s Annual Awards Ceremony in Oceanside, California.

The details: - Barfield has worked more than 30 years to improve outcomes in rural, high-poverty and historically low-performing districts. - She became Glades County’s elected superintendent in 2020. - Since then, Glades County has moved from 61st out of Florida’s 67 districts to 24th in the state ranking. - The district earned back-to-back A designations, the first district in Florida’s Heartland region to do so. - Glades County’s graduation rate rose from 78.5% to on target for 100% for the 2026-2027 school year. - The district expanded college and career options through Moore Haven High School Collegiate Academy and Career and Technical Education programs. - Barfield also made significant investments in teacher compensation to recruit and retain educators. - In her remarks, Barfield said strong leadership depends on mentorship, hard work, common sense and a refusal to accept the status quo. - Barfield said rural communities can achieve excellence regardless of district size, location or wealth.

Between the lines: - The finalist nod reflects a broader argument that district size and geography do not have to limit student outcomes. - Barfield’s message frames rural education as a test case for whether sustained leadership can overcome long-standing performance gaps. - The recognition also reinforces the growing emphasis on superintendent roles as change agents, not just administrators.

What’s next: - NASS will announce the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year in October. - Barfield will represent Glades County, Florida and rural public education during the final selection stage. - Glades County is likely to continue focusing on academic gains, workforce pathways and educator retention.

The bottom line: - Barfield’s finalist spot reflects one district’s turnaround and a broader national message: rural systems can produce top-tier results when leadership, expectations and investment align.