VANCOUVER, Wash. (June 27, 2016)–The Washington Association of School Administrators presented the 2016 Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Award to Thomas R. Hagley, Jr., chief of staff of Vancouver Public Schools, in Spokane at the summer conference of WASA and the Association of Washington School Principals.

Hagley, chosen in the category of large school districts, has served as a district administrator in Vancouver Public Schools for 24 years, working directly for three superintendents–Dr. Jim Parsley, Dr. John Erickson and Dr. Steve Webb.

A peer committee selected recipients for the award from nominations that describe how each is actualizing nine characteristics of high performing schools or districts as defined by research from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Bill Keim, WASA’s executive director, said:

“The nine characteristics of high-performing schools provide a rigorous framework to assist educators in school improvement. Becoming a high-performing school district takes years of sustained commitment. The honorees have shown great commitment not only to their districts, but to the mission of K-12 education in our state.”

One highly effective superintendent, central office administrator or school administrator is chosen from a small school district (up to 500 students), a medium-size district (501-2,000 students), and a large school district (more than 2,000 students), and a $10,000 award is divided equally among the three winners.

Hagley said:

“It is inspiring and gratifying to have the privilege of working with the district’s many enthusiastic administrative, faculty, staff, student and community leaders. Education gives everyone a higher purpose and hope for greater success in all that we do.”

As chief of staff, Hagley’s responsibilities include strategic plan development; selection and induction of executive-level leaders; internal and external communication; community and government relations; and partnerships, including a liaison role with the district’s non-profit foundation.

Hagley led an initiative to establish Family-Community Resource Centers in poverty-impacted schools, worked to build public support for levy and bond measures, and facilitated planning symposia for the design of new school buildings.

This year Hagley was named one of 13 U.S. “Leaders to Learn From” by Education Week, America’s newspaper and website of record for K-12 schools. He also received the “Community Champion Award” from the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce in 2014 and the “Leadership Through Communication Award” from the American Association of School Administrators and the National School Public Relations Association in 2011. He was a Vancouver Business Journal “Accomplished Under 40” honoree in 2003 and was the 1996 recipient of the General George C. Marshall Public Leadership Award.

About the Washington Association of School Administrators
The Washington Association of School Administrators (http://www.wasa-oly.org) is committed to the development of quality education through professional leadership. With more than 1,675 members, participation in WASA is open to all education administrators in central office, school management and educational agency positions.