South Carolina H 5703: Dr. Akil E. Ross, SC Superintendent of the Year

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5703 Text of Previous Version (May. 14, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5703

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR DR. AKIL E. ROSS SR. OF 
LEXINGTON-RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT FIVE UPON BEING NAMED 2027 SOUTH CAROLINA 
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL 
ADMINISTRATORS.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that, in recognition of 
his many contributions to education, Dr. Akil E. Ross Sr., superintendent of 
Lexington-Richland School District Five, has been named 2027 South Carolina 
Superintendent of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School 
Administrators (SCASA); and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina Superintendent of the Year award is presented annually to a district 
superintendent as part of the national Superintendent of the Year program of 
the American Association of School Administrators. Selected from an outstanding 
field of superintendent candidates by a veteran panel of judges, Dr. Ross was 
presented the 2027 award on Thursday, May 7, 2026; and

Whereas, a visionary 
leader, passionate advocate for students, and champion for educational 
excellence, Dr. Ross has led with integrity, innovation, and heart. In so 
doing, he has created meaningful opportunities for students, educators, and 
communities across South Carolina. His commitment to academic achievement, 
educator support, community engagement, and student success continues to make a 
lasting impact throughout our State; and

Whereas, Dr. Ross 
started his career in education over twenty years ago as a teacher and coach at 
Eau Claire High School in Columbia. In 2005, he joined Lexington-Richland 
School District Five, where he worked as an assistant principal, after which he 
became principal of Chapin High School. In 2018, he left Chapin High to become 
director of secondary education for the district. Dr. Ross is also an 
accomplished author and an affiliate professor of educational leadership at the 
University of South Carolina (USC). He left School District Five in 2018 to 
start HeartED LLC, an educational consulting firm that shares lessons and 
strategies to help communities empower every child. He was appointed 
superintendent of School District Five in February 2022; and

Whereas, in preparation 
for a distinguished career in education, Dr. Ross earned his undergraduate 
degree at Duke University in 2002. In 2005, he obtained his master's degree in 
secondary educational administration from the University of South Carolina. In 
2009, he earned his educational specialist degree from South Carolina State 
University. He received his doctorate in curriculum studies from USC in 2012; 
and

Whereas, throughout his 
career, Dr. Ross has received numerous professional honors. In 2017, he was 
named SCASA Secondary Principal of the Year, and in 2018 he received the 
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Principal of the 
Year award. He also was featured in Principal Leadership Magazine, The 
Rotarian Magazine, and Columbia Business Monthly as one of the 50 
Most Influential people in 2018. In 2020, Dr. Ross was named USC College of 
Education Adjunct Professor of the Year; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives is delighted that Dr. Ross has been chosen 
for this latest honor, and the members extend grateful thanks for his years of 
dedicated service to the children of this great State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, congratulate and honor Dr. Akil E. Ross Sr. of Lexington-Richland 
School District Five upon being named 2027 South Carolina Superintendent of the 
Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Akil E. Ross Sr.

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