Roy-Hart superintendent nominated for ‘Excellence in Leadership Award’

Press Release, Roy-Hart Central School

Roy-Hart Superintendent Jill Heck: Photo by Rich Leader

MIDDLEPORT – Jill Heck, superintendent of the Royalton-Hartland Central School District, has been nominated for the 2026 Excellence in Leadership Award by the New York State Council of School Superintendents.

The nomination spotlights her leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to the children and families of Western New York.

The NYS Council of School Superintendents is a statewide professional organization representing public school superintendents.

With nearly 700 superintendents across New York State, the award process is highly competitive. This year, 20 nominations were received, with just four individuals ultimately selected. The selection committee emphasized that Heck’s nomination stood out and made a lasting impression.

Now serving her fourth year as district superintendent, Heck has demonstrated bold, systems-level leadership that has expanded educational opportunities throughout the district.

Under her leadership, Royalton-Hartland has strengthened agricultural education programming across all grade levels in the district and supported the development of a state-of-the-art Agriculture Land Lab, where students can engage in applied STEM learning, environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and community engagement.

The program has earned statewide recognition as an Outstanding Agricultural Secondary Education Program, with students achieving success at the National FFA Convention, including first-place national honors and multiple American FFA Degrees.

Heck’s leadership extends beyond academics. In response to a regional childcare shortage, she fostered partnerships with community stakeholders in an effort to support working families by increasing access to much needed early childcare service. Additionally, she helped to secure nearly $236,000 in federal funding to enhance district-wide safety infrastructure and emergency preparedness.

Regionally, Heck plays a key role in advancing professional development through the Erie-Niagara School Superintendents Association, uplifting superintendents across multiple counties and strengthening executive leadership practice.

Mrs. Heck’s leadership is comprehensive, measurable, and transformative, resulting in the advancement of workforce-aligned programming, expanding family support, securing critical funding, and elevating leadership across Western New York. She represents the very best of innovative educational leadership in New York State.