The Aiken County Public School District named its 2019-20 Principal of the Year Honor Court in March.
The nominees are Dr. Salvatore Minolfo from Belvedere Elementary School, Dr. Jason Holt from Paul Knox Middle School in North Augusta and Garen Cofer from Aiken High School.
“I am just incredibly humbled and honored to have been acknowledged in this way,” Minolfo said. “Any type of recognition you receive as an administrator is always a reflection of the many people who have helped you along the way to becoming a successful principal, and receiving this recognition is a testament of how much they have poured into me over the years.”
"Being recognized as part of such a dedicated and talented group is by far one of the greatest recognitions one can receive,” Holt said. “Knowing the efforts my colleagues bring to each of their schools, I am humbled to represent this group."
“I consider it an honor to be named to the 2019-20 Principal of the Year Honor Court,” Cofer said. “It has been a blessing to serve in this district for 17 years in an administrative capacity.”
In addition to the Honor Court, this year's Principal of the Year nominees are Mark Dugar, The Center for Innovative Learning at Pinecrest; Shunte Dugar, New Ellenton Middle STEAM Magnet School; Scott Floyd, Aiken Middle School; Amy Gregory, Chukker Creek Elementary School; John Murphy, North Augusta High School; and Michelle Padgett, Leavelle McCampbell Middle School.
Principal of the Year honorees in Aiken County Public Schools are nominated by their peers, school employees, parents and community members and are selected by the district’s Principal of the Year Screening and Selection Committee, a group that includes members of the district leadership team.
“All of these administrators are one team stars who have distinguished themselves as educational leaders possessing outstanding professional skills and admirable personal qualities,” Aiken County Chief Officer of Instruction Jeanie Glover said. “They are focused on improved academic achievement and care deeply for the personal growth and development of faculty and staff members as well as each of their students. They are a huge reason for our success as a district.”
Read the full Aiken Standard article HERE.