Mat-Su's education leader named Alaska Superintendent of the Year

During the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) regular school board meeting on September 3, a surprise announcement came as the superintendent, Dr. Randy Trani, was named as Alaska’s Superintendent of the Year by the Alaska Superintendents Association (ASA).

As part of the announcement, Dr. Lisa Parady, Executive Director of the ASA, along with several Mat-Su Borough legislators joined the meeting to surprise and congratulate him on the achievement, which has never been bestowed to an MSBSD Superintendent.

“A leader whose vision and dedication transformed education in this district and inspired educators across Alaska,” said Dr. Parady of Dr. Trani.

She then read several statement from people who nominated him for the award

“Dr. Trani is someone who makes educators, students, and families feel valued and empowered,” she said on behalf of Jason Marvel, principal of Wasilla High School.

“Although his leadership style is calm and collaborative, make no mistake, he is laser-focused on the responsibility to provide students with a rigorous experience that equips them with skills necessary to pursue any meaningful career when they leave our system,” wrote Dr. Reece Everett, associate superintendent.

“I think President (Kathy) McCollum summed his impact up beautifully, writing that Dr. Trani is a compassionate and approachable educator,” said Dr. Parady, noting that educators across the state and country have reached out to him to learn from the work he has done here.

“It is the honor of my 36 years in education,” Dr. Trani commented during the meeting. “But the honor is to be able to share,” he said, thanking everyone who has helped him along the way. “In an organization as big as ours, there’s no single person that could earn this award. It’s a reflection of an organization that, without its employees and leaders who accepted the challenge of embracing change to impact student achievement.”

He thanked the classified staff, teachers, building administrators, the school board that hired him and those members that have come afterwards, thanking them all for the courage to follow his vision.

“This is your award, not mine.”

The school board members all took time to commend and congratulate Dr. Trani on the award.

“Congratulations to Dr. Trani and staff. (He has) the vision that the board has elected to follow Dr. Trani’s lead,” said member Ole Larson.

“Randy has been willing to put in the work and put in the sacrifice,” said MSBSD board member Brooks Pitcher at the meeting. “His ideas and his vision have not always been popular, but it has always come from the right place, and over time we have seen the fruits of those labors and they are very sweet.”

The Mat-Su Borough Legislative Delegation congratulated Dr. Trani, citing MSBSD’s achievement’s during his tenure, including record-high graduation rates, continuous high marks in statewide testing results, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

“Dr. Randy Trani has transformed MSBSD into a model of what education in Alaska can achieve,” the Mat-Su Delegation said in a joint statement. “His focus on results has led to record graduation rates, exceptional academic performance, and robust CTE programs, ensuring our students are prepared for college, careers, and future challenges. We are proud to celebrate his vision, accountability, and unwavering dedication to Mat-Su families and students. The success of our children is the success of our community, and under Dr. Trani’s leadership, that success is just beginning.”

Sen. Shelley Hughes emphasized the award’s significance: “Dr. Trani’s recognition as Superintendent of the Year reflects the remarkable progress in Mat-Su. “His vision connects academics to real-world opportunities, empowering students to thrive in Alaska’s workforce and beyond. This honor is well-deserved.”

Freshman Representative Jubilee Underwood, who previously served on the school board, added: “Strong leadership makes all the difference. Dr. Trani’s collaborative approach, high expectations, and commitment to empowering educators have elevated our students’ potential. This award celebrates his tireless dedication to our kids.”

Later this month, Dr. Trani will be honored at the ASA Fall Conference and at the AASA National Conference on Education next year, then representing Alaska in the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year Program.