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 high performing schools/districts as defined by research from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Mrs. Fox’s nomination acknowledged her promotion of instructional and administrative excellence as a significant factor in the district’s present quality of education. “Mrs. Fox has created a supporting learning environment by providing opportunities for staff and students to excel,” cited the nomination. It also stated that her active leadership, support and encouragement of staff participation in goal setting and curriculum planning confirmed her effectiveness as an education leader by establishing a shared vision and purpose for Palouse School District.

In response to receiving the award, Mr. Morris remarked, “It is a tremendous honor to receive this award from WASA and PEMCO. This is really a team award. Our entire staff is committed to providing quality instruction to all students. It is a pleasure for me to work in a collaborative and congenial environment.”

In its fifth year, the Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Awards seek to 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 nearly 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.