Executive Suite: Leaders of the Largest School Districts

Leading a large public school system isn't a job that promises longevity.

The typical tenure of top administrators navigating the politics and bureaucracy of the nation's largest districts has historically been brief, but it appears the toll that the Covid-19 pandemic has taken on those who were in charge of keeping schools operating safely has accelerated exits from the executive suites.

Of the administrators leading the nation's 15 largest school districts as of April 2024, all had been hired in 2021 or later. In the most recent change, Broward County (Florida) Superintendent Peter Licata announced his retirement in April after less than a year in the job. He has been replaced by Howard Hepburn.

Click on "Start Slideshow" above to view a photo gallery of the administrators now in charge of the nation's 15 largest public school systems.