Pictured: SCS 2024 Principal of the Year (L to R): Rachael O'Dea, Deputy Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer; Kirk Hutchinson, Principal of Venice Elementary School; Chris Renouf, Chief of Staff.

Sarasota County Schools is pleased to announce that Venice Elementary School’s Dr. Kirk Hutchinson has been selected as the district’s 2024 Principal of the Year, and Sarasota High School’s Mrs. Lindsay Gallof has been selected as the district’s 2024 Assistant Principal of the Year. Dr. Hutchinson and Mrs. Gallof are now in the running for Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year, respectively, at the state level. Per the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), the Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership [Principal of the Year] was established in 1988 to recognize Florida principals for their contributions to their schools and communities. The FLDOE’s Outstanding Assistant Principal Achievement Award [Assistant Principal of the Year] was established in 1997 to honor assistant principals that have utilized teamwork and leadership to increase student achievement and improve school environments. FLDOE Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. will announce three state-level finalists for each award in spring 2024. The overall winner for each state-level award will be revealed in summer 2024. Sarasota County Schools has received two prior overall Florida Principal of the Year awards. Alta Vista Elementary School’s Dr. Barbara Shirley (ret.) received the honor in 2014, and Booker High School’s Dr. Rachel Shelley received the honor in 2017.

Pictured: SCS 2024 Principal of the Year (L to R): Rachael O'Dea, Deputy Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer; Kirk Hutchinson, Principal of Venice Elementary School; Chris Renouf, Chief of Staff.

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