The North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA) has announced the selection of Dr. Matthew Lutz, Superintendent of Currituck County Schools, as the recipient of the Dr. Dwayne Stallings Leadership Award. The award is presented in honor and recognition of a superintendent who has demonstrated a strong dedication to public education, commitment to academic excellence, and a continual focus on professional growth and student learning.

This award is presented to a superintendent serving a school district in northeast North Carolina who is a member of the Northeast Regional Education Service Alliance (NERESA). NERESA is a professional alliance that supports and enhances educational services and resources for the member districts. These include facilitating professional development opportunities and promoting communication between the districts and state agencies, professional organizations, elected officials, and educational leaders.

The award is named in honor of Dr. Dwayne Stallings who was serving as the Executive Director of the NERESA at the time of his death on August 9, 2020 at the age of 63. Dr. Stallings began his career in education teaching in the Chowan, Gates, and Pasquotank school districts. He later served in the Perquimans County School System as the Assistant Principal of the High School, Principal of Central Elementary School in Winfall, Principal of the High School, Assistant Superintendent, and lastly as Superintendent. Dr. Stallings also served as an Adjunct Professor at East Carolina University (ECU) after his retirement from superintendency.

As an educational leader, Dr. Stallings served as a head coach or assistant coach in three different school districts. He served on the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Board of Directors and in 2015, he received the Bob McRae Superintendent of the Year award, named for Bob McRae, a former school superintendent in Randolph County and former president of the NCHSAA. Dr. Stallings was named the NERESA Superintendent of the Year in 2013 and a nominee for the A. Craig Phillips NC Superintendent of the Year Award.

“I am humbled and grateful to receive this prestigious award, which celebrates the legacy of Dr. Stallings. There’s no greater honor than receiving recognition from your peers; but I am only as good as my team, and it’s been special,” remarked Dr. Lutz.

Dr. Matt Lutz has dedicated more than 30 years to public education, including 23 years in administrative leadership. Named Superintendent of Currituck County Schools in September 2020, after serving three months as interim, he proudly leads the growing district with a continued focus on inspiring excellence in every student. Under his leadership, the district has successfully implemented: comprehensive Curricular and District Strategic Plans; achieved significant gains in student performance; completed two school expansion projects and the construction of a new elementary school; earned its first district-wide accreditation in 2024, and received recognition as a Purple Star Award District - one of only 13 school districts across North Carolina to earn district-wide recognition. The district has also expanded key programs and initiatives, including preschool opportunities and mental health supports.

Dr. Lutz holds a master’s degree in Secondary Education from Duquesne University and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Ashland University.  

He began his career as a committed teacher and coach before moving into administrative leadership. Prior to becoming superintendent, Dr. Lutz served as Assistant Superintendent for Currituck County Schools from 2017 to 2020 and held principal positions at Currituck County Middle School and Shawboro Elementary School, where he was named the district’s 2016 Principal of the Year. His leadership experience also includes serving as Director of Equity & Talent for the Ohio Department of Education and Executive Director of Education at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, where he collaborated with multiple school districts on curriculum standards, college and career readiness, and educator evaluation systems. He was additionally recognized as the Ohio Middle School Principal of the Year in 2011. 

Dr. Lutz currently serves as Vice-Chair of the NERESA Superintendents’ Council.

In selecting the award winner, the following criteria were considered:

●        Dedication to public educational leadership resulting in innovative programs for student success.

●        Commitment to academic excellence through collaboration with local and state educational leaders.

●        Continual focus on professional growth through personal learning and providing continuous learning opportunities for school district leaders.

NCSSA Executive Director Jack Hoke shared, “Dr. Lutz has served as superintendent of the Currituck County Schools for six years and he exemplifies the traits that guided Dr. Dwayne Stallings’ career in educational leadership. He has demonstrated a strong dedication to public education, commitment to academic excellence, and a continual focus on professional growth and student learning for the Currituck County Schools. He is very deserving of the leadership award honoring Dr. Stallings.”

Congratulations to Dr. Matt Lutz on this well-deserved recognition!