MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Osseo Superintendent Kim Hiel Earns Minnesota’s Top Superintendent Honor

The statewide selection recognizes academic access, community engagement and leadership through major changes across Osseo Area Schools.

BROOKLYN PARK, MN (October 29, 2026). Osseo Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Kim Hiel has been named 2027 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year, advancing her to consideration for the national award while recognizing leadership through significant academic and operational changes in the district.

The Minnesota Association of School Administrators announced the selection October 23. An independent panel evaluated candidates on leadership for learning, communication, professionalism and community involvement. The national recipient will be announced during the February 25–27, 2027, education conference in Atlanta.

Academic access among the reasons cited

Hiel became Osseo’s superintendent in 2023. In its announcement, MASA highlighted the district’s schoolwide use of Advancement Via Individual Determination, commonly known as AVID, across secondary schools.

The association reported that 71% of high school students met at least one college and career readiness indicator during 2024–25. Those indicators include advanced coursework, professional certifications, internships and other preparation opportunities.

Among students receiving special education services, the reported readiness rate increased from 27% to 52% in one year. The figures were cited by the award organization as part of its assessment of Hiel’s leadership.

Leading through district changes

The recognition also comes during extensive facilities work and attendance-boundary changes.

CCX Media reported October 27 that Hiel has overseen work involving 66 construction projects under the voter-approved Building a Better Future initiative. The boundary adjustment affected approximately 2,000 students.

In that interview, Hiel connected her leadership approach to listening, relationship-building and creating conditions in which community members can raise concerns. She described a philosophy of “holding space,” emphasizing that administrators should hear stakeholders without assuming every conversation must immediately produce a solution.

Hiel told CCX that receiving the award initially left her speechless and that she was still absorbing the recognition.

The award places the district’s superintendent in the national selection process. For Osseo families, the work cited in the recognition continues in classrooms, facilities projects and the practical adjustments accompanying changed school assignments.

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