Schools get a lot of different awards for a lot of unusual reasons, but this is the first time I’ve heard of a school district being named “business of the year” by the local Chamber of Commerce. Please feel free to correct me if I’ve gotten this wrong and school districts are being recognized by chambers all over the place.
Over the weekend, the North Mason Chamber of Commerce named the North Mason School District its business of the year.
Here’s the email NMSD Superintendent David Peterson sent out this morning.
On Saturday evening, the North Mason Chamber of Commerce presented NMSD the award of 2009 Business of the Year. There are 430 (or so) businesses and organizations that are members of the Chamber, all of which were eligible for selection. The Chamber selected us. It was a wonderful honor to stand with NMSD Board Members Mike Gaudio, Art Wightman, and John Campbell as last year’s winner, Jerry Reid, made the formal presentation.
The reasons are many. Our contribution to our local economy and our charitable giving are, of course, important to the Chamber of Commerce. Our “shop locally” attitude, especially in terms of our capital levy work and other vendor selections, is also significant to the Chamber. We make an effort to work with local companies, stores, and other vendors whenever possible, and it is noticed in a big way. Also influential to the Chamber are the dramatic improvements in our public image, improvements in academic achievement, our recent election successes, and more.
This is a big deal, and we are very proud to be recognized by our Chamber of Commerce. Our staff and leadership have been, and continue be working hard on improving the success of students and support of families. To have this work noticed and acknowledged by the community leaders of the NM Chamber is one more step in our continuing effort to Build the Pride.
Not too many short years ago, the NM School Board was in disarray and the district’s reputation was not favorable. Have things turned around in NM that much in just a few years? My sense, as a reporter anyway, is that things are better. Superintendent David Peterson is particularly responsive and open to talking about NM schools and education issues in general.
Let me know, kitsapeducation readers.
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