Region 6 names Superintendent of the Year

For the other regional winners please see the December 11, 2009 print edition. The following story did not arrive in time for the publishing deadline.

Region 6 of the Michigan Association of School Administrators has announced its 2010 MASA Regional Superintendent of the Year Award recipient.  Thomas Pillar, Superintendent of the Waverly Community Schools, will receive the Regional Superintendent of the Year Award at an event to be held in 2010.

The Regional Superintendent of the Year Award is presented by each of nine regions in the MASA organization to an individual who has shown tremendous effort and dedication to enriching the lives of children and the community as a whole.  Dr. Pillar is recognized for his 41 years of service in education, eight of which has been in the Waverly Community Schools.

“The Board of Education is proud to see Dr. Pillar receive this award for his hard work and dedication to students over the last 8 years at Waverly,” said Waverly Board of Education president John Boughton.

Nominators point to Dr. Pillar’s leadership through a number of initiatives during his tenure at Waverly, which include: the district’s  completion of a $49 million construction bond project, the installation of walkable trails and sidewalks through the "Safe Routes to Schools" grant, and the transition to a new alternative education program, Ombudsman that has successfully graduated potential drop students. 

“Even with the financial struggles, Dr. Pillar has managed to keep the District solvent, preserved student programs and maintained excellent instructional leadership allowing students to obtain high achievements and become fine citizens in the Waverly community,” said Region 6 president and Dansville superintendent Ron Stoneman.