Florida TaxWatch is set to honor the 2024-25 Principal Leadership Awards (PLA) winners at a luncheon on May 14 during its Spring Board Meeting at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota. Florida Lottery Secretary John F. Davis and Florida Prepaid College Foundation Director Cindy O'Connell will address the 15 winners, followed by a roundtable discussion on best practices.
John F. Davis remarked, “The Florida Lottery is proud to partner with Florida TaxWatch in support of the Principal Leadership Awards and applauds each of the award recipients for their outstanding dedication to students and schools. Their diligent efforts make a real difference each and every day. At the Florida Lottery, we believe the path to a brighter future begins with a quality education—and that education starts with exceptional educators. We look forward to continuing this partnership in support of Florida’s students, schools, and future.”
Cindy O’Connell stated, “The Florida Prepaid College Foundation is a proud, longstanding partner of the Principal Leadership Awards Program, which creates statewide opportunities and policies that benefit Florida’s students. This program recognizes and rewards 15 effective principals across the state and provides each principal with an opportunity to award a deserving student with an Academic A+ Challenge Match Scholarship. We look forward to the future development of this program and continued partnership with Florida TaxWatch.”
The PLA program was established in 2013 to recognize educational leaders who create meaningful changes in their students’ lives while promoting effective practices among peers. Winners were previously honored at individual ceremonies held on school campuses across several counties including Bay, Brevard, Broward, Clay, Duval, Highlands, Hillsborough, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, and Putnam.
Dominic M. Calabro commented on behalf of Florida TaxWatch: “Florida TaxWatch established this one-of-a-kind and the only evidence-based Principal Leadership Awards program which uses comprehensive data to determine the most effective principals in our state to reward these outstanding principals for the transformational impact they are having both in their schools and in their communities. Congratulations to all of the winners!”
Jeff Kottkamp added: “Principals are the backbone of Florida’s schools – as leaders in their schools they support and motivate hard-working teachers and ensure students at all grade levels are provided ample opportunities to succeed. Thank you to the 15 amazing principals we are recognizing for all you do to inspire and support the students in your schools.”
The awards ceremony acknowledges sponsors such as 4Rivers; Charter Communications; Dominic and Debbie Calabro; Every Child A Swimmer; FBMC; First Horizon Bank; Florida Lottery; Florida Prepaid College Foundation; Florida Power & Light; Helios Education Foundation; JM Rubin Foundation; Keswick Partners/Step up for Students; Kyra Solutions; MAXIMUS; On 3 Public Relations; Steve & Linda Evans; Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits; Suffolk Construction; Team Horner; Tampa Electric Company; Verizon; Walmart.
More information about PLA winners can be found through official channels.
Florida TaxWatch has served as an independent watchdog organization for over four decades aiming at improving government productivity while being supported by voluntary donations from members.