WASA News Release - 2004 Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Awards


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 15, 2004	CONTACT:	Amy Riggs 360/943-5717 ariggs@wasa-oly.org

TWO WASHINGTON SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS RECEIVE ROBERT J. HANDY MOST EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATOR AWARDS Pomeroy School District's Jim Kowalkowski was honored in the small district category and La Conner School District's Tim Bruce received the award for mid-sized districts.

OLYMPIA, Washington – Today, the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) and the PEMCO Foundation recognized superintendents Jim Kowalkowski, Pomeroy School District, and Tim Bruce, La Conner School District, as recipients of the Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Awards for 2004. Jim Menzies of the PEMCO Foundation presented the awards. A third administrator in the large district category will be recognized in May at WASA's Superintendent Workshop in Chelan. Three awards are presented each year, based on district-size categories, with a $10,000 award equally divided by the winners. Approximately one-third of Washington's school districts are represented in each category. The award can be used for personal or professional growth and/or to support and disseminate information about a successful school or district program. A peer committee selects the winners from nominations that detail how each nominee is taking part in actualizing the nine characteristics of highly performing schools/districts as defined by research from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Upon receiving the award in the small district category, Pomeroy's Jim Kowalkowski stated, "Receiving this award is a great honor and being singly recognized from so many deserving colleagues in small districts throughout Washington State is humbling. I thank WASA and the PEMCO Foundation for providing this opportunity for recognition. Truly, the efforts, enthusiasm and support of district and building staff, students, community, school board and family are strong contributors to my success and they are to be congratulated as well." Kowalkowski's effective engagement of both staff and community resonated throughout his nomination, which referred to staff appreciation of his high level of commitment to professional development and teamwork. More than 70% support of a recent maintenance and operations (M&O) levy attested to his support from the community. His worthiness of the award was summed up in the statement, "Jim is a strong advocate for small and rural schools. Most of all, he is an advocate for all of us in our district to provide the very best for our students." In his 10+ years with La Conner School District, the connections Tim Bruce has fostered between the central office, staff and the community have been pivotal to student success. The value of the strengthened associations was evidenced in how he has actualized each characteristic identified for high performing districts. For example, long-due conversations with staff were facilitated to create grade level expectations. Increased shared leadership and team approaches involving teachers, board members and community members have created more positive involvement. Building improvements and stronger connections fostered between students and staff by "blurring the borders" between grades, buildings and school-community have created a much-needed sense of pride for everyone. About receiving the award, Tim Bruce commented, "To receive this award is not only an honor for me, but acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the entire La Conner staff. I am proud to work with a group of educators that have embraced the school improvement process and come to work each day prepared to help our students meet local, state and federal goals. I would like to thank WASA for all the help it continues to give our district and PEMCO for the monetary award, which will be used to help fund the Skagit River Poetry Project and extended learning opportunities in our classrooms." In its third year, the Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Awards recognize outstanding public school administrators in Washington State. Robert J. Handy, the awards' namesake, founded the PEMCO Life Insurance Company. Handy was a Seattle schoolteacher during the Great Depression whose vision of providing low-cost loans to schoolteachers grew into what is now the School Employees Credit Union of Washington. The Washington Association of School Administrators is a statewide professional association representing 1,100 members including superintendents, central office administrators and building principals. The PEMCO Foundation is an alliance of companies inclusive of PEMCO Insurance Company, the School Employees Credit Union of Washington and Evergreen Bank. # # # # # Ed. Note: PEMCO Web site - www.pemco.com Detailed descriptions of the nine characteristics - http://www.k12.wa.us/SchoolImprovement/success.aspx # # # # #