School district names its Principal of the Year

Lori White, superintendent of schools, recently named Tom Buchanan, principal of Tuttle Elementary School, in Sarasota, “Principal of the Year” for the district. Jean Thompson, assistant principal of North Port’s Heron Creek Middle School, was named “Assistant Principal of the Year.”

“Tom and Jean are wonderful examples of the caring and dedication of our administrators,” White said. “They both help motivate students at their schools to overcome obstacles so they can do their very best in the classroom and beyond.”

Buchanan has established a “Helping Hands Fund,” to which community members can donate and help families pay for medical costs, electric bills and expenses.

Thompson has been active in the Community of Caring program.

White has nominated Buchanan and Thompson for Florida’s Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership and the Outstanding Assistant Principal Achievement Award, respectively. The statewide winners will be announced in the fall.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].