Gwinnett Daily Post

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue and State Superintendent Kathy Cox named six Gwinnett County principals Wednesday as being among the best in the state.

The Gwinnett administrators were among more than 100 Georgia principals to be honored as leaders whose schools are performing well above expectations.

"These principals are getting it done and will help us improve student achievement in many of our schools," Superintendent Cox said. "The educational and motivational strategies they are using can be replicated throughout Georgia in all of our schools. They are not only great principals; they are mentors and role models."

The selected principals are Jane Stegall of Brookwood High School; Kathy Jones of Camp Creek Elementary School; Burrelle Meeks of Knight Elementary School; LaVern Watkins of Norcross Elementary School; Vivian Stranahan of Shiloh Elementary School; and Lynne Davis of Trickum Middle School.

The administrators were identified as High Performance Principals, who are eligible to receive $15,000 salary supplements if they agree to transfer to middle and high schools classified as "Needs Improvement" schools.

"High Performance Principals provide strong and effective leadership for teachers, staff and students to achieve above and beyond expectations," Governor Perdue said. "We need to make sure that our best principals are in the places where they are needed most."

The principals were selected on the basis of their schools' higher than expected scores on the Criteron-Referenced Competency Tests or the Georgia High School Graduation Tests. They also had to meet other necessary goals regarding their schools' graduation rate, SAT scores, end of course test performance and Adequate Yearly Progress.