BEAVERCREEK, OH – The American Association of School Administrators and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators have named Paul Otten, Superintendent of Beavercreek City Schools, as the 2026 Ohio Superintendent of the Year. This prestigious recognition honors Otten's exceptional leadership, innovative approach to education, and deep commitment to student success and community engagement.
Otten, who has led Beavercreek City Schools since July 2016, now advances to compete for National Superintendent of the Year, representing Ohio among the nation's most accomplished educational leaders.
"Paul Otten exemplifies visionary leadership in education," said Jo Ann Rigano, President of the Beavercreek City Schools Board of Education. "His ability to listen to our community, develop innovative solutions, and always keep students at the center of every decision has transformed our district. This award recognizes what we've known for years—we are fortunate to have one of Ohio's finest educational leaders guiding Beavercreek City Schools. We couldn't be more proud of this well-deserved honor."
The Ohio Superintendent of the Year award recognizes excellence across four critical areas: Leadership for Learning, Communication, Professionalism, and Community Involvement. Under Otten's leadership, Beavercreek City Schools has consistently demonstrated innovation and achievement in each of these domains.
Otten has championed creative solutions to meet diverse student needs, including establishing the district's Air Force Junior ROTC program to serve Beavercreek's significant military-connected student population and implementing new Career Technology Education Pathways, including Cybersecurity and Information Technology. Known for his authentic and transparent communication style, Otten has implemented outreach initiatives that regularly engage parents, students, business leaders, and community members. With over three decades in education and a career progression that spans from classroom teacher to superintendent, Otten brings unparalleled insight to his role. He actively serves on multiple influential boards, maintaining his professional development and sharing his expertise with educational leaders across the state.
"This recognition reflects the extraordinary work of our entire Beavercreek City Schools community—our talented staff, supportive families, engaged students, and committed community partners," said Otten. "Together, we've built a district culture that prioritizes innovation, excellence, and meeting the needs of the students we serve."
Otten earned his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Wittenberg University and his Master of Education in Educational Administration from Xavier University. He and his wife, Julie, reside in Beavercreek Township and are proud parents to Emma (William), Tommy, Ethan, and Chloe.
The National Superintendent of the Year will be announced at the AASA National Conference on Leadership in February 2026.
The Beavercreek City School District (BCS) is a publicly funded school district that spans 47 square miles across Greene County and neighboring Montgomery County in Southwest Ohio. The district provides educational services for nearly 8300 students. BCS is located adjacent to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and over 30% of the students within the district are military-connected. All 11 of BCS schools have been designated as Purple Star Schools, recognizing the district's commitment to supporting military families.
Students in preschool through grade 12 are taught by over 450 full-time faculty members across the district’s preschool, six elementary schools, two middle schools, one freshman school, and one high school. Instructional programs are designed to provide rigorous academic programming through child-centered instructional practices. The district’s Portrait of a Learner focuses educational programming on the development of students who are Globally Aware, Optimistic, Confident, Resilient, Engaged, Excellence-driven, and Kind. These have been identified as the essential attitudes and skills students need to graduate ready for success and are represented by the phrase, “GO CREEK.”
Student performance consistently exceeds state and national averages on standardized tests like ACT and SAT, with nearly three-quarters of graduates attending four-year colleges or universities and many others choosing two-year colleges or trade schools. To complement the district’s high-quality classroom instruction, students are provided opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities in the visual and performing arts, athletics, academics, and public service. According to the 2024-2025 state report card, Beavercreek City Schools ranked among the top public school districts in Ohio, placing in the top 20 percent for Academic Performance Index scores.
The primary source of district revenue is local taxpayer dollars, representing nearly 70% of the district's operating budget. State funding is a distant second, at just over 17% of the district’s revenue. A priority is placed on good stewardship of district finances, which has earned the district numerous financial awards from local, state, and federal oversight organizations.