A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR DR. AKIL E. ROSS SR. OF LEXINGTON-RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT FIVE UPON BEING NAMED 2027 SOUTH CAROLINA SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that, in recognition of his many contributions to education, Dr. Akil E. Ross Sr., superintendent of Lexington-Richland School District Five, has been named 2027 South Carolina Superintendent of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA); and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Superintendent of the Year award is presented annually to a district superintendent as part of the national Superintendent of the Year program of the American Association of School Administrators. Selected from an outstanding field of superintendent candidates by a veteran panel of judges, Dr. Ross was presented the 2027 award on Thursday, May 7, 2026; and

 

Whereas, a visionary leader, passionate advocate for students, and champion for educational excellence, Dr. Ross has led with integrity, innovation, and heart. In so doing, he has created meaningful opportunities for students, educators, and communities across South Carolina. His commitment to academic achievement, educator support, community engagement, and student success continues to make a lasting impact throughout our State; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Ross started his career in education over twenty years ago as a teacher and coach at Eau Claire High School in Columbia. In 2005, he joined Lexington-Richland School District Five, where he worked as an assistant principal, after which he became principal of Chapin High School. In 2018, he left Chapin High to become director of secondary education for the district. Dr. Ross is also an accomplished author and an affiliate professor of educational leadership at the University of South Carolina (USC). He left School District Five in 2018 to start HeartED LLC, an educational consulting firm that shares lessons and strategies to help communities empower every child. He was appointed superintendent of School District Five in February 2022; and

 

Whereas, in preparation for a distinguished career in education, Dr. Ross earned his undergraduate degree at Duke University in 2002. In 2005, he obtained his master's degree in secondary educational administration from the University of South Carolina. In 2009, he earned his educational specialist degree from South Carolina State University. He received his doctorate in curriculum studies from USC in 2012; and

 

Whereas, throughout his career, Dr. Ross has received numerous professional honors. In 2017, he was named SCASA Secondary Principal of the Year, and in 2018 he received the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Principal of the Year award. He also was featured in Principal Leadership Magazine, The Rotarian Magazine, and Columbia Business Monthly as one of the 50 Most Influential people in 2018. In 2020, Dr. Ross was named USC College of Education Adjunct Professor of the Year; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is delighted that Dr. Ross has been chosen for this latest honor, and the members extend grateful thanks for his years of dedicated service to the children of this great State. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate and honor Dr. Akil E. Ross Sr. of Lexington-Richland School District Five upon being named 2027 South Carolina Superintendent of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Akil E. Ross Sr.

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