Tuscaloosa School Board Extends Contract for Superintendent Mike Daria

Daria will remain superintendent through 2027 after unanimous board vote.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Tuscaloosa City Schools board of education has unanimously voted to extend the contract of Superintendent Mike Daria through December 2027, keeping him at the helm of the district for several more years. Daria had previously planned to retire this June, but the board worked to change his mind and praised his steady leadership and ability to connect the schools with the broader community.

Why it matters

Daria's extended tenure provides stability and continuity for the Tuscaloosa school district, which has seen academic progress and growth under his direction over the past several years. His ability to forge partnerships between the schools and local organizations has also been highlighted as a key strength.

The details

The board met on Tuesday night and voted unanimously to extend Daria's contract through the end of 2027. Daria has served as superintendent since 2016 after a long career in the Tuscaloosa school system as a teacher, administrator, and executive. In 2023, he was named State Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents of Alabama.

  • The Tuscaloosa City Schools board of education met on Tuesday night (February 11, 2026) to vote on Daria's contract extension.
  • Daria had previously planned to retire in June 2026.

The players

Mike Daria

The superintendent of Tuscaloosa City Schools since 2016, with nearly three decades of experience in the district as a teacher, administrator, and executive.

Eric Wilson

The chair of the Tuscaloosa City Schools board of education.

Marvin Lucas

The co-chair of the Tuscaloosa City Schools board of education.

Tuscaloosa City Schools

The public school district serving the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

School Superintendents of Alabama

The professional association for school superintendents in the state of Alabama.

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What they’re saying

“When you have the best, you want to keep the best. 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.”

— Eric Wilson, Board Chair, Tuscaloosa City Schools (953thebear.com)

“Dr. Daria understands that public education does not exist in isolation. 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.”

— Marvin Lucas, Board Co-Chair, Tuscaloosa City Schools (953thebear.com)

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

— Mike Daria (953thebear.com)

What’s next

The Tuscaloosa City Schools board will continue to work with Superintendent Daria on the district's long-term goals and priorities over the course of his extended contract through 2027.

The takeaway

Daria's contract extension signals the Tuscaloosa school board's strong confidence in his leadership and ability to build on the academic progress and community partnerships that have developed under his tenure. His continued presence will provide stability and continuity for the district in the years ahead.