La Crosse Superintendent Named State's Best
Aaron Engel was named 2027 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Administration
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The Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators named Aaron Engel, superintendent of La Crosse Public Schools since 2020, 2027 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year. The award recognizes his leadership, dedication to student success, and commitment to strengthening educational opportunities for all students.
Why it matters
The honor highlights leadership in La Crosse's school district and recognizes efforts to expand educational opportunities for students across the community. It also reflects the statewide recognition of district-level administrators by their professional association.
Engel has led the district since 2020, a tenure that the association cited in naming him 2027 state superintendent. The selection process details, including the number of nominees, were not disclosed in the source material.
The players
Aaron Engel
Aaron Engel is the superintendent of La Crosse Public Schools, leading the district in La Crosse, Wisconsin, since 2020.
Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA)
WASDA is the statewide professional association representing school district administrators in Wisconsin, which selects an annual Superintendent of the Year.
Damian LaCroix
Damian LaCroix is the executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, who commented on the selection of Engel.
The details
The La Crosse School District announced the award in a press release, and WASDA Executive Director Damian LaCroix said the selection reflects Engel's leadership and positive impact on the La Crosse community. The award will be formally presented during a WASDA convention on January 20, 2027.
Timeline
2020: Engel began serving as superintendent of La Crosse Public Schools.
November 3, 2026: WASDA named Engel 2027 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year.
January 20, 2027: Engel receives the award at a WASDA convention.
Season Trajectory
The WASDA Superintendent of the Year award is an annual statewide recognition of district leadership, and Engel's selection adds La Crosse Public Schools to the group of districts honored by the association. The honor is presented at the association's convention, linking district-level leadership to the state's education administration community.
For families in La Crosse, the recognition signals the district's leadership direction under Engel's tenure since 2020. The award does not change enrollment, schedules, or policies, but it reflects the administrative leadership guiding local schools.
The takeaway
Recognition from a statewide association highlights how sustained district leadership can be measured by peers, not just local results. Readers interested in school governance can track how superintendent selections are made across Wisconsin districts.
What happens next
Engel is scheduled to receive the 2027 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year award during the WASDA convention on January 20, 2027.
Further reading
For more on how district leaders shape local school systems, explore Administration coverage across La Crosse.
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