Tuscaloosa School Board Extends Superintendent Mike Daria's Contract Through 2027

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education on Tuesday voted unanimously to extend Superintendent Mike Daria’s contract through December 2027.

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As Patch previously reported, Daria announced plans to retire June 30, 2026, a decision he said was intended to give the district time to conduct a national search for his successor.

Daria has served as superintendent since 2016 and has spent nearly 30 years with Tuscaloosa City Schools. His tenure with the district includes roles as an English teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive director of personnel, assistant superintendent and superintendent.

Board members said they have worked for months to persuade him to reconsider.

TCS Board Chair Eric Wilson underscored that the extension reflects the board’s confidence in Daria’s leadership and the district’s continued academic progress.

“When you have the best, you want to keep the best,” Wilson said. “Dr. Daria’s leadership has been proven time and again. The academic growth, stability and momentum we see across our system today are the result of his steady, student-focused leadership.”

Wilson also added that consistent leadership is especially critical given current educational and financial challenges facing school systems.

“Strong leadership means more than managing schools,” Wilson said. “Dr. Daria’s ability to build partnerships beyond education has positioned Tuscaloosa City Schools for long-term success.”

Board Co-Chair Marvin Lucas echoed those sentiments, crediting Daria’s emphasis on community collaboration as a key factor in the district’s gains.

“Dr. Daria understands that public education does not exist in isolation,” Lucas said. “His ability to connect our schools with community partners, industry leaders and organizations across the state has brought meaningful opportunities to our students and strengthened the district as a whole.”

Under his leadership, the district has reported significant academic improvement. Third-grade reading proficiency has climbed from approximately 39% in the 2015–16 school year to 90% in 2024 and 2025.

Tuscaloosa City Schools also earned the highest state report card rating in its history in 2025, improving from a score of 80 in 2018 to 86, with mid-year data indicating continued progress toward the district’s goal of achieving an A rating.

In 2023, Patch reported that Daria was named State Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents of Alabama.

Daria said he is grateful for the board’s support and remains focused on sustaining the district’s upward trajectory.

“I am honored by the Board’s confidence and deeply proud of what our students, educators and community have accomplished together,” Daria said. “The progress we’ve made belongs to our entire school community, and I look forward to continuing this important work in the years ahead.”

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