Harp named assistant principal of the year

FINDLAY — Matt Harp, assistant principal of Donnell Middle School, has been named the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators Assistant Principal of the Year for Zone 4. He will be a finalist at the state level, and will be recognized at the OASSA conference in October. "Mr. Harp has been in Trojan Country for eight years, and has impacted endless students and staff throughout his time here," states a recent Findlay City Schools Facebook post. Among the comments on the post were several community members saying things like, "Well deserved." "The OASSA is incredibly proud of Matt Harp and his dedication to the students and staff at Donnell Middle School," wrote Ryan Parrish, assistant principal at Van Wert High School and OASSA Zone 4 board director, in an email to The Courier. OASSA divides the state into 10 regions. "Because he won at the regional level, Mr. Harp is now an official finalist for the overall Ohio Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year state award," Parrish wrote. "He will be formally recognized for this regional achievement at the annual OASSA Fall Conference this October in Columbus." The OASSA assistant principal of the year program runs in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Administrators (NASSP) and honors school leaders who demonstrate exemplary performance in several key areas. They include collaborative leadership and innovation, impact on student achievement, and experience and dedication. Recipients are judged on their ability to bring staff, students and community members together to build a positive school culture, introduce fresh instructional ideas and improve school outcomes. Nominees must show clear evidence of going above and beyond standard job expectations to directly support student learning, personal growth and well-being. Also, to be eligible, a leader must display long-term commitment to their building. Parrish said Harp was nominated by his colleagues or someone in the community who recognized his commitment to the Donnell Middle School staff, students and community. Ken Schriner, assistant principal at Ottawa-Glandorf High School, was named the Zone 4 high school assistant principal of the year.