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From the Southeast Region of School Systems in NC

On behalf of the Southeast Region of School Systems in NC, the Southeast Education Alliance, is proud to announce that Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, Superintendent of Beaufort County Schools, has been named the Regional Superintendent of the Year for the 2025-26 school year. This nomination will be presented to the NC School Superintendents Association from the SE Alliance’s Council of Superintendents and was approved by the group comprised of fourteen school district leaders from across southeastern NC. Dr. Cheeseman serves as not only the Superintendent for your community, but he is also recognized across the region and State for his strong and effective leadership work. He provides a strong voice on behalf of the students and staff in Beaufort County, as well as eastern NC. He engages with educators and stakeholders at all levels to ensure that the voices of many are heard, while at the same time focusing on opportunities to advocate for rural southeastern NC in a way that serves all to the best extent possible.

Across the region of Superintendents, he acknowledges the reality of successes and challenges faced by Southeastern NC in public education. He works collaboratively with his regional peers, as we often are focused on similar issues, including issues of hurricanes, staffing challenges, and funding shortfalls. His leadership work across the region has enhanced the regional relationships among the full council of district leaders. Serving as an example of integrity and passion to all those involved seems to come natural to him and has elevated him to the Regional SOY recognition from his peers.

The Southeast Alliance includes superintendents from 14 counties in southeastern NC including Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Clinton, Craven, Duplin, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Sampson, and Wayne. This honor includes not only the regional recognition of Superintendent of the Year for the Southeastern NC School Systems, but also includes a nomination as a candidate for the 2026 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina STATE Superintendent of the Year Award to be announced in November. The state winner will also go on to compete for the national award of National Superintendent of the Year to be offered by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) in the early Spring of 2026.