(Stuart Simpson in middle, surrounded by family)
The Nebraska Council of School Administrators held Administrators’ Days last week at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney, where the organization announced its annual award honorees in front of more than 1,100 school leaders.
The NCSA Distinguished Service Award is given annually to an individual or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional, distinguished leadership in public education. The 2024 recipients are Josie Floyd and Stuart Simpson.
Floyd currently serves as principal at Dudley Elementary in Gothenburg and has long been active at the state level, serving as Vice Chair of the NCSA Executive Board from 2023-2024. Simpson recently retired from North Platte Public Schools after serving 18 years as the district’s finance director.
“Josie Floyd(shown receiving award) and Stuart Simpson both reflect what this award was established to honor and celebrate, and are two well-deserving recipients who we were proud to honor,” said NCSA executive director Dr. Mike Dulaney. “They are each respected leaders in Nebraska’s educational landscape and have been invaluable assets to public education. They’ve each made an enormous impact on the profession, and our organization, while always keeping students their top priority.”
During Thursday’s awards luncheon, Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) executive director Trish Guinan was honored with the NCSA Friend of Education Award, which is given annually to a non-member(s) who has demonstrated exceptional, distinguished leadership in public education. Guinan is set to retire in December after dedicating her long career to public education in Nebraska.
“Trish has given 50 years of service to public education, first as a teacher and then as a fixture at NSEA for nearly 30 years,” said Dr. Dulany. “Her leadership the last five years has been commendable, and the positive impact she’s made will be felt for many years to come.”
On Friday, NCSA presented Stand for Schools, the team behind the Public School Proud Nebraska campaign, with the Friend of Education Award. Senator Dunixi Guereca and Stand for Schools deputy executive director Daniel Russell were on center stage to accept the award.
“Stand for Schools has been a fierce supporter of public education in Nebraska, and school districts across our state are fortunate to have them in their corner,” Dulaney said.
Also at the conference, Dr. John Schwartz, superintendent of Millard Public Schools, was announced the 2025-26 Nebraska Superintendent of the Year by the Nebraska Association of School Administrators (NASA). Dr. Schwartz will receive his award at the State Education Conference in November.
The annual event included keynote presentations by nationally-renowned speakers Erin King and Thomas C. Murray, and was attended by members of the State Board of Education, Commissioner of Education Dr. Brian Maher, and staff from the Nebraska Department of Education, who held their programming on Wednesday.
