Local Superintendent Misses Top Honor

The National Superintendent of the Year award was given at the American Association of School Administrators national conference Friday.

The winner was Roderick Paige, former superintendent of the Independent School District in Houston who is now the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Pedersen was one of the four national finalists this year. He is also the N.C. Superintendent of the Year.

Kim Hoke, spokeswoman for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, said the system is proud of Pedersen's accomplishments.

"It's a wonderful achievement (for Pedersen) to have been selected as North Carolina Superintendent of the Year as well as one of the four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year," she said.

Pedersen could not be reached for comment.

He has won numerous awards since he took the position in 1992 and serves on many education-related committees.

Pedersen is a member of the BellSouth Superintendent Leadership Network, president of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Exchange Club and represents the school system as one of 15 districts chosen for the National Minority Student Achievement Network.

During the nine years under Pedersen's leadership, the percentage of students proficient on state examinations has risen to 92 percent, up from just 80 percent before his time as superintendent.

The school system's SAT scores and levels of participation also have risen about 25 points. Black SAT scores have risen more than 100 points under Pedersen's leadership.

"I think that Dr. Pedersen is an outstanding leader; I'm in constant awe of his leadership ability," said Mary Parrish, assistant principal at McDougle Middle School. "I felt that he deserved (the award). If you look at his statistical numbers, his ability to lead certainly stands out."

The national award winner is determined by a panel of educators who evaluate the Superintendent of the Year from each state and then choose four finalists. Those four then go to Washington, D.C., where the AASA headquarters is located, and go through a series of interviews and evaluations. The winner is announced at the AASA national conference each year.

Each finalist is evaluated based on specific criteria consisting of leadership, communication skills, professional development and community involvement.

Pedersen will receive a $1,000 savings bond as well as a medallion and a plaque for being a national finalist.

The City Editor can be reached

at citydesk@unc.edu.