LaX Principal named for state school award

Doug Curtis, LaCrosse school principal for the past 10 years, Monday was named for the Most Effective Administrator Award for small districts at the Washington Association of School Administrators conference in Yakima.

Raymond superintendent Steve Holland was named for the mid-size district award.

The awards were presented by WASA and Pemco Insurance. Jim Menzies of Pemco Insurance made the presentations.

A large district administrator award will be presented later and a $10,000 award is divided among the three recipients. Proceeds from the award can be used for personal or professional development or to support successful school programs.

A WASA peer committee selects the winners by determining how nominees meet nine characteristics of high performing schools as defined by research from the office of the state Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Curtis was credited for providing a supportive environment among administrators, staff, parents and students at LaCrosse. He was cited for encouraging staff development and the Critical Friends program under which staff members meet twice a month to discuss issues.

In receiving the award, Curtis said he was thankful for the support he has received from LaCrosse superintendent Gary Wargo, staff members, board members, and the community.

“I believe that I have learned more from observing and working with our staff than they could have learned from me over the past nine years,” Curtis said.

Curtis served at Colfax for 23 years as a coach, teacher and assistant principal. He then went to Mattawa as an administrator for two years before taking the post at LaCrosse.