State Affiliates - National Rural Education Association

State Affiliates

The National Rural Education Association (NREA) is the voice of all rural schools and rural communities across the United States. To that end, we have State Affiliate partners who represent their local network of rural and small schools. We also promote the good work happening in these regions through our connection to State Affiliates. If you are a rural education-focused state-level organization, reach out to us today about become a State Affiliate!

Note: This page is currently under construction as we move into renewal season under our new membership calendar. If you are a current State Affiliate, please confirm your membership status with Executive Director Dr. Melissa Sadorf before December 31, 2025 to stay on this listing.

Arizona Rural Schools Association

Executive Director: Dr. Greg Wyman

Arkansas Rural Education Association

Director: Dennis Copeland

Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools

Executive Director: David M. Ardrey

Coalition of Rural and Small Schools of Virginia

President: Dr. Keith Perrigan

Colorado Rural Schools Alliance

Executive Director: Denille LePlatt

Florida School Boards Association

Chief Executive Officer: Andrea Messina

Idaho Rural Schools Association

Director: Heather Williams, Ph.D.

Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association

Executive Director: Christopher Lagoni

Michigan Association of School Boards

Executive Director: Don Wotruba

Maine Department of Education

Executive Director: Maryalice Crofton

Minnesota Rural Education Association

Interim Executive Director: Dr. Fred Nolan

Mississippi Rural Education Association

Co-Chairs: Dr. Tyler Hansford and Dr. Patti Permenter

Missouri Association of Rural Education

Executive Director: Kevin Sandlin

Montana Rural Education Association

Executive Director: Larry Crowder

Montana Small Schools Alliance

Executive Director: Janelle Beers

Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association

Executive Director: Jack Moles

Nevada Association of School Boards

Executive Director: Rick Harris

New Jersey Association of School Administrators

Executive Director: Dr. Richard G. Bozza

North Carolina Rural Education Collaborative

Directors: Nancy Mangum and Theresa Gibson

Oregon Small Schools Association

Executive Director: Michael Carter

Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools

Executive Director: Robert Trammell

Panhandle Area Education Consortium

Executive Director: John Selover

Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools

Executive Director: Edward J. Albert, Ed.Der

Rural Maryland Council

Executive Director: Susan O’Neill

Rural School Advocates of Iowa

Leadership Group Chair: Caleb Bonjour

Rural Schools Association of New York State

Executive Director: David Little, ESQ

Small School Districts' Association

Executive Director: Yuri Calderon

South Carolina Organization of Rural Schools

Tennessee Rural Education Association

Contact: Jason Bell

North Dakota Small Organized Schools

Executive Director: Mike Heilmann

Texas Rural Education Association

Executive Director: Bill Tarleton

UWA Center For Reimagining Rural Education

Executive Director: Dr. Reenay Rogers

Utah Rural Schools Association

President: Christy Fitzgerald

Washington Rural Education Center

Director: Jim Kowalkowski

Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance

Executive Director: Jeff Eide