By Linda Conner Lambeck

OCEANSIDE, Calif–Westport Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice was named the 2026 Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents, at their annual conference last night.

The recognition, according to the organization’s website, is based on evidence of outstanding achievement as a school district superintendent, demonstrated belief in continuous improvement, and commitment to collaboration and mutual support in the profession.

Scarice also received the organization’s top prize for Excellence in Technology & AI.

NASS announced late last month that Scarice was one of two finalists for the award. The other finalist was Alice Beth Barfield, superintendent of Florida’s Glades County School District.

In an email to Westport Journal, Scarice said he was deeply honored and grateful to the association.

“Awards like this are never about one person. As I listened to the introduction at the ceremony, what I singularly heard was the story of the Westport school community’s commitment to its children,” Scarice wrote.

Lee Goldstein, chair of the Westport School board said Scarice’s recognition as National Superintendent of the Year, along with his award for Excellence in Technology and AI, speaks to exactly the work he shepherds in our district.

“Technology and AI may be getting the attention right now, but Tom leads our faculty and staff in the most old-fashioned ways, putting human connection at the center of teaching and learning. I’m proud of Tom and the work our educators do every day,” Goldstein said in an email.

Theresa Daem, founder of the organization, said on Thursday that the award recognizes extraordinary leadership and contributions to public education

On the NASS.us website, Daem said that Scarice had positioned Westport Public Schools as a national model, both for its approach to teaching about artificial intelligence responsibly, refreshing academic integrity practices and its investment in professional learning. He was also praised for guiding the school system through the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing comprehensive strategic plans and leading initiatives such as redistricting and long-term facilities plan.

During the awards ceremony, Scarice participated as a panelist and presenter throughout the event.

A much younger organization than the American Association of Schools Superintendents, NASS was formed 17 years ago and has been naming a superintendent of the year since 2011. Scarice said the organization’s focus is on fostering collaboration and cooperation among superintendents through professional learning opportunities, recognitions and access to resources.

Scarice has been Westport’s superintendent since 2020.

On Thursday, Scarice said the transformation of Westport’s school facilities, improvements made to transportation and security and a stronger, more connected school culture is a collective effort of the Westport school community, including faculty, staff, administrators, parents and town leaders.

As for the AI recognition, Scarice said Westport’s AI Code of Ethics and K–12 AI literacy framework reflect a clear vision to make AI human centered.

During his tenure, Scarice said he also has made a point to get to know individual students on a more personal level and that they inspire him beyond anything he could convey in a written statement.  

“This recognition belongs to them, too. I am profoundly grateful to serve a community that believes so deeply in its schools and is willing to do the work, together, to make them even better.” Scarice said. 

Linda Conner Lambeck

^{_{Linda Conner Lambeck covers education for Westport Journal. She was a reporter for more than four decades at the Connecticut Post and other Hearst publications. She has covered education throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties. She is a proud member of the Education Writers Association.}}