WACHOVIA PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

SELECTION PROCESS

Each school system may select one principal as its local Wachovia Principal of the Year. The selection procedure at the local level is the responsibility of the local superintendent or designee. The selection must be objective and fair and must assure that all public school principals have access and equal opportunity to be nominated and to compete.

The person chosen as the local Wachovia Principal of the Year represents his or her school system in the regional selection process. The regional selection procedure includes an evaluation of the candidate through a portfolio review and an interview. Eight regional finalists will be named to participate in the state selection process.

The state selection process continues with each regional finalist being interviewed and his/her portfolio reviewed by a state selection committee. Eight on-site school visits of the regional finalists' schools will be conducted by the state selection committee. The Wachovia Principal of the Year will be announced at the spring state luncheon in Raleigh.

Candidates at all levels deserve special recognition for achievement. Local school systems are encouraged to consider various means of recognition, such as: announcements, a luncheon or banquet, media coverage, awards, or other activities.

Local and regional candidates represent their school systems throughout the process. Each candidate should have the support of the LEA during all aspects of the competition, including the portfolio preparation, the interview process, the on-site visit for state selection, adherence to rules and publicity, as well as, moral support.

Regional winners will be asked to chair regional selection committees for the Wachovia Principal of the Year selection process.