Highline Public Schools superintendent John Welch has been named "the most effective administrator" among large districts in the state.

Welch received the Robert J. Handy Award, presented by the Washington School Administrators Association and PEMCO Foundation, at the association's recent conference in Chelan.

At the district's May 9 board meeting, Welch said, "I feel very honored to have been nominated and selected. I work in a great community with great people who make me look good."

Jim Menzies from PEMCO observed that Welch "shares the achievement with his staff and school board. I congratulate you."

In announcing the award, association officials praised Welch for developing a clear and shared vision, demonstrating effective leadership, encouraging high levels of teamwork, aligning curriculum and instruction with standards and assessments, emphasizing professional development, creating and supporting a learning culture, and developing a high level of community involvement.

They added that Highline's vision remains "laser-focused on preparing every student for college, career and citizenship."

The association noted that voter-approved Initiative 728 funds from the state have been directed to teacher coaching and professional development in Highline based on the philosophy that excellent instruction is critical to student academic success.

Welch was also cited for community outreach efforts in working with a wide range of community leaders, outside organizations and education foundations to identify programs to help students.

A peer committee selects a nominated winner based on nine characteristics of high performing districts using research from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Handy award is named after PEMCO's founder, who was a school teacher during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

His vision of providing low-cost loans to school teachers led to formation of the School Employees Credit Union of Washington. The credit union is part of PEMCO.

Welch also announced winners of the district's teacher of the year awards. They are Michele Brees, fifth-grade teacher at SeaTac's Madrona Elementary, and Alexis McFarland, language arts teacher at the Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment on SeaTac's Tyee High campus.

One of Welch's key programs is a switch to small learning communities within the district's high schools.

Seven parents and students from Evergreen High School in North Highline complained to board members on May 9 about the removal of Jackie Lewis as vice principal when Evergreen converts to the small communities in September.

Lewis applied to be principal of the Technology, Engineering and Communications academy at Evergreen but someone else was hired.

Gail Barnum will continue as a coordinating principal but each of the three smaller academies will have its own principal in September.

Tiffany Tran, Evergreen student body president, told board members, "You are dismissing an outstanding man."

Other speakers said Lewis supports athletics and ethnic communities as well being an excellent student mentor.

Welch replied that he could not discuss publicly Lewis' future with the district because it a personnel matter.

Board members also authorized Welch to notify some school counselors as well as career and technical educators that they could be laid off.

Welch said that a federal school counselor grant has not been renewed.

Board member Tom Slattery and teacher union president Alan Sutliff noted the importance of increased state education funding over a reliance on grants and levy funds.