- December 4, 2025
Volusia County Schools' Carmen Balgobin has been named the 2025 Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents.
The school district announced the award on Friday, Oct. 3, stating in a press release that the recognition honors Balgobin's "extraordinary leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to creating educational opportunities for all students."
"Balgobin has transformed her district into a high-performing learning organization rooted in safety, innovation, and student well-being," the press release states. "Under her guidance, the district has expanded diverse instruction, strengthened continuous improvement practices, and created pathways for every student to succeed. Her leadership during times of challenge has been described as steady, collaborative, and bold, reflecting her belief that students deserve nothing less than excellence and care in their schools."
Balgobin credited the VCS community for the district's success.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, families, and community who work tirelessly to give every one of our students a world-class education,” Balgobin said. “True academic achievement is the product of intentional leadership, data-driven decision making, and a culture that unites every stakeholder in service of students.”
NASS Founder Theresa Daem said in the press release that Balgobin is "a prime example of the optimal educational leadership needed for today's school systems."
“We need to do more than recognize excellence,” Daem said. “It’s time to capitalize on the combined knowledge and expertise of exceptional school district superintendents like Dr. Balgobin.”
