(Pendleton) – InterMountain Education Service District (IMESD) presented its 2026 Crystal Apple Leadership Award on Monday, May 11th at the annual Crystal Apple “Excellence in Education” Awards. The recipient is Aaron Duff, Superintendent of the Milton-Freewater Unified School District.

Each year, this award honors an exemplary school administrator in one of IMESD’s 17 component school districts.

Duff started working in the Milton-Freewater Unified School District in 2004 as an Agriculture and Technology teacher at McLoughlin High School (Mac-Hi). He became Principal of Freewater Elementary School in 2012, Business and Operations Director in 2017, and Superintendent in 2019.

During his tenure, Duff has helped the district achieve in several areas, including:

• Increased district graduation rates, consistently achieving rates over 90%.
• While at the district office, he played a significant role in a unique bond project, resulting in updated district facilities and a state-of-the-art elementary school.
• Realizing the crucial role of communication not only in telling the district’s story, but also in fostering trust and collaboration.

Dr. Mark Mulvihill, Superintendent of IMESD, presented the award to Duff and said, “Aaron has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring that all students find a place to belong and succeed and fostering student organizations that offer opportunities for a diverse student population. He epitomizes humble, servant leadership and is highly respected within the regional superintendent team.”

About receiving the award, Duff acknowledged that his family has been instrumental in his work and achievements as an educational leader, as well as his colleagues and staff at MFUSD. “I am deeply humbled to receive this award. This is an award for our entire team at Milton-Freewater. We work together to improve our community, and that is what I am most proud of. I thank the region for recognizing the work we do each day.”