Lake County Schools Superintendent Diane Kornegay has been named Florida’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS). She received the honor Thursday in Tampa during the joint conference of the Florida School Boards Association and FADSS.

Kornegay, the longest-serving appointed superintendent in Florida, becomes the 39th superintendent — and only the 10th woman — to earn the award since its creation in 1988. She has served as Lake County’s superintendent since December 2016 and brings more than 35 years of experience in public education, including leadership roles in Clay County Schools.

Under her leadership, Lake County Schools earned an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education in 2025, the district’s first since 2008. The district saw notable academic gains, including a 15-point increase in Algebra 1 proficiency and a seven-point increase in English Language Arts for grades 9 and 10. Kornegay also oversaw the creation of flexible high-school pathways through a night school program and a day program developed with Lake Technical College, helping raise the district’s graduation rate from 88% to 93% within three years. Graduation rates have remained at or above 90% for four consecutive years.

Lake County Schools has also expanded access to high-demand Career and Technical Education programs, accelerated diploma tracks, and industry certification opportunities. Students passed nearly 5,000 certification exams in 2024.

FADSS CEO Sen. Bill Montford praised Kornegay’s leadership and long-standing commitment to public education.

“Diane is a determined and unwavering advocate for public education and student success,” Montford says. “Her sustained tenure speaks to her remarkable ability to bring people together, forge trust, and lead the kind of meaningful change that delivers exceptional outcomes for students.”

Kornegay has received numerous awards during her tenure, including the 2021 Superintendent of the Year from the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education, and honors from the Lake County Chamber Alliance of Education and the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. She currently serves as vice president of the FADSS Board of Directors.

FADSS President and Miami-Dade County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres said Kornegay leads “with compassion and conviction,” adding that her belief that educators “only get one chance with these kids” demonstrates her commitment to excellence.

Kornegay said she was “deeply humbled and grateful” for the statewide recognition.

“This is truly an honor personally, but more so, it reflects the outstanding achievements and tireless work of everyone who makes up Lake County Public Schools,” she says.

Kornegay will represent Florida at the AASA National Education Conference in Nashville in February 2026, where she will be honored alongside other state superintendents from across the country.