Michael J. Barnes

Dr. Michael J. Barnes is the Superintendent of Mayfield City Schools in Ohio and currently serves as Immediate-Past President of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA). With more than three decades of experience in education, Dr. Barnes has served as a teacher, coach, principal, and central office administrator before becoming superintendent. He previously served as Superintendent of Lakewood City Schools, where he led the development of a shared community vision for student success.

A nationally recognized thought leader, Dr. Barnes is a member of the AASA Executive Committee and a frequent speaker on student-centered learning, leadership, and educational innovation. Dr. Barnes is a published author whose work focuses on instructional leadership, purpose-driven systems, and the development of the whole child. His authored works include The Modern Superintendent: A Guide to Instructional Leadership; WINNING: Lessons on Life, Learning, and Leadership; and Building Literacy Together: How Families, Schools, and Communities Can Raise Children Who Think. He has also co-authored Leading with Clarity: A Reflective Journal for Educators and STEM Century: It Takes a Village to Raise a 21st Century Graduate (AASA Edition). His work consistently emphasizes clarity of vision, strong relationships, and a relentless focus on student success.

In Mayfield, Dr. Barnes leads with the belief that “Every Student. Every Day.” means creating systems that ensure all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Under his leadership, the district has focused on achieving 100% proficiency in reading and math as the foundation for all learning, while also implementing innovative, student-centered approaches that elevate voice, agency, and real-world readiness.