Dr. Romules Durant

Superintendent of Toledo Public Schools

A visionary leader and champion for urban education, Dr. Romules Durant serves as the CEO and Superintendent of Toledo Public Schools (TPS). Now in his 13th year leading Ohio’s fourth-largest urban school district, Dr. Durant is the longest-serving superintendent in the Council of the Great City Schools’ national network, a testament to his enduring impact, stability, and strategic foresight.

In recognition of his innovative work to connect local industry to education, Dr. Durant was awarded the prestigious Green-Garner Award from the Council of Great City Schools as the 2024 Urban Educator of the Year, the nation’s highest honor in urban public education.

A proud graduate of TPS, Dr. Durant earned three degrees, including his doctorate, from the University of Toledo, which also awarded him an honorary doctorate in pedagogy in 2024.

Under his leadership, TPS has evolved into a national model for specialized, career-connected learning. Dr. Durant has championed the creation of specialized magnet high schools, all of which are designed to ignite student passion and build direct talent pipelines with regional industry leaders. These highly acclaimed and recognized programs prepare students for in-demand careers in fields related to Electric Vehicle Technology, Aviation, Pre-Medicine, Engineering, and Business.

Dr. Durant’s loyalty to his hometown is evident through his commitment to the re-development of the Scott Park campus, which will integrate magnet high schools, a sports dome, and residential housing into a vibrant multi-generational community hub.

Driven by an unwavering belief that public education is an engine for economic and social mobility, Dr. Durant has been featured on the Discovery Channel’s Courageous Leaders series and has secured historic community backing, which is evident through his eight successful levy campaigns.

In recognition of his leadership, Dr. Durant has been inducted into five Halls of Fame and sits on a dozen boards of regional organizations. He continues to set a benchmark for transformative, community-centered educational leadership in all he does for Toledo Public Schools and for northwest Ohio.