About NSPRA
The Superintendents to Watch award recognizes school district leaders who have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core.
Dr. Duke Bradley III leads Newton County Schools with a leadership style that combines strong systems, clear communication and visible engagement. Since becoming superintendent, he has focused on building alignment, strengthening transparency and ensuring that families, staff and community members understand both where the district is headed and how it is getting there.
“Dr. Bradley demonstrates excellence and leadership by building strong systems for collaboration, modeling effective leadership, and cultivating future leaders within the district. His approach ensures leadership is not only about setting direction but also about being present, accessible, and invested in the people he serves.” — Sherri Partee, Executive Director of Communications, Newton County Schools
Building Leadership Through Communication
Dr. Bradley has created structures that make communication a routine part of leadership rather than an afterthought. He convenes an Executive Cabinet each week to align priorities and problem-solve, holds regular one-on-one meetings with cabinet members for mentoring and accountability, and brings together principals, chiefs and directors through a monthly Principals’ Network.
He also launched THRIVE, a set of leadership development programs designed to prepare teachers and assistant principals for future leadership roles, ensuring the district continues to build capacity from within.
“Dr. Bradley has elevated the role of communication in Newton County Schools to a level that directly strengthens both governance and community trust. He...has reshaped how our school system presents itself to stakeholders, ensuring a professional, consistent, and inspiring identity for students, staff, and the community.” — Abigail Coggin, Chair, Newton County Board of Education
Creating Clear, Direct Communication With Families and Staff
Bradley shifted Newton County Schools toward more direct, personal communication from the superintendent’s office, using targeted messages, videos and detailed board updates to keep families and employees informed.
Key elements of his communication approach include:
In his second year, Dr. Bradley elevated the district’s communications role from Director of PR to Executive Director of Communications, ensuring the position remained a permanent member of the Executive Cabinet. This move underscored his belief that communications must have a consistent voice in district decision-making. These efforts have led to stronger engagement and more consistent access to district information.
Making Transparency a District Standard
When Dr. Duke Bradley was appointed superintendent of Newton County Schools (NCS), the district’s previous five-year strategic plan had expired after being extended through the COVID-19 pandemic. To provide direction and clarity until a new plan could be developed, Dr. Bradley launched a set of Organizational Priorities that established clear, measurable goals and embedded communication and engagement into the district’s work.
That same approach is now shaping the district’s next strategic plan, which has been built through community meetings and a districtwide survey to ensure families, staff, students and community members have a voice.
“In just two years, Dr. Duke Bradley has transformed Newton County Schools.” — Loucy Hay, Chair, Newton Education Foundation
A Visible, Community-Focused Leader
Dr. Bradley is a consistent presence in schools and across the community. He visits school sites weekly, engages directly with families and educators, serves on civic boards and works closely with the media to ensure accurate, timely information is shared.
His commitment to visibility and partnership has strengthened the district’s relationships and public confidence.
“As the parent of two Newton County Schools' alumni, a business leader in the community for over 30 years and ardent public school supporter, I have never experienced a superintendent who engaged the community, the region and the state for the benefit of our students and teachers.” — Loucy Hay, Chair, Newton Education Foundation
Through a strategic focus, Newton County Schools has strengthened how it communicates, aligns its work and engages its community around a shared vision for students.