WASA News Release - 2005 WASA Honorary Awards

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WASA
News Release
Olympia, Washington	360/943-5717


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 27, 2005	CONTACT:	Amy Riggs 360/943-5717 ariggs@wasa-oly.org

Washington state education leaders recognize and honor outstanding colleagues, citizens and organizations for their service to public education

OLYMPIA, Washington – At today’s annual awards luncheon of the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), school leaders, community members and organizations were recognized for their outstanding efforts to enhance and further the quality of public education in Washington state. Among the awards presented were: · WASA Golden Gavel Award – Representative Hans Dunshee and the Washington State Board of Education. · Service to WASA Award – Associate Professor/Director Dennis Ray, Washington State University College of Education. · WASA Leadership Award – Superintendent Paul Rosier, Kennewick School District. The WASA Golden Gavel Award is WASA’s most prestigious award and is presented to an individual, group or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to public education in Washington that has statewide application and is of lasting value. Two recipients – Representative Hans Dunshee, 44th District and Capital Budget Chair, and the Washington State Board of Education – received the Golden Gavel Award at this year’s conference for their critical work in securing over $200 million in additional capital expenditures for school construction in the Capital Budget. “We did the right thing on building money, and it felt good to finish the session on such a high note,” said Representative Dunshee. “More money for schools than ever before, a 54 percent increase in construction money. Too many kids were in crowded and crumbling schools. Now with the new high performance standards, those new and renovated buildings will produce better learning. WASA was part of the effort and it just shows. Good things can happen if people work it.” Carolyn Tolas, Washington State Board of Education Board President and Facilities Committee Chair commented, “I am deeply honored. We've all worked so hard these past few years to get better facilities for our children. Having the support of the Legislature is one of the highlights of my tenure with the State Board. This award is the icing on the cake.” Dennis Ray received the 2005 Service to WASA Award for his active support of WASA throughout his 30-year career in education. Dr. Ray is a former Washington state school superintendent, has been instrumental in the developmental of a strong two-year superintendent program at Washington State University and has served five years on the WASA Board as the higher education liaison. Upon learning of the award, he stated, “It is a tremendous and humbling honor to receive this award. WASA has been a major part of my professional career and my personal life for the past thirty years. Any successes that I have achieved are due, in large part, to my WASA friends and colleagues. I admire and commend those of you who go to work each day in an effort to make life better for the kids in our schools. Finally, I want to recognize and thank those WASA retirees who dedicated their careers to serving students, staff and communities in Washington state.” The WASA Leadership Award was presented to Superintendent Paul Rosier, Kennewick School District, for his leadership in exerting a strong influence for WASA as chair of the Ample School Funding Project and for his deep involvement in the development of dissemination of the School System Improvement Resource Guide (SSIRG), which was developed by WASA in partnership with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I am honored to receive the WASA Leadership Award.” commented Dr. Rosier. “So many people have done so much to promote education in our state that it is humbling to be selected from among these excellent educators.” The Association recognized several more education leaders with the WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award and the WASA Award of Merit, each of which honor one individual within each of the eleven WASA regions across the state. Awards honoring those administrators with long-standing careers in the field of education also were presented. More information about the awards and a complete list of award recipients is available online at http://www.wasa-oly.org/awards/2005awards.htm The Washington Association of School Administrators is a statewide professional association representing nearly 1,100 members including superintendents, central office administrators and building principals. WASA is committed to leadership in providing equity and excellence in student learning, and leadership in developing competent, ethical and visionary leaders by providing member services, offering growth opportunities for leaders, and promoting community and legislative support for education. # # # # # Ed. Note: Pictures from the awards presentation will be available on Wednesday, June 29, 2005. Send e-mail to ariggs@wasa-oly.org. · WASA Web site - http://www.wasa-oly.org/