Each year, AWSP’s Advocacy Advisory Council has the opportunity to select a state-level public servant who has demonstrated support of principals and the principalship in the education of all students. We’re thrilled to announce that our 2024 Torch of Leadership Award is presented to Representative Paul Harris, who currently serves on the Health Care & Wellness, Appropriations, Education, and Rules committees. He also serves on the Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging & Disability, Joint Select Committee on Health Care Oversight, Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council, Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee, and the Long-Term Services and Supports Council. He is the House Republican Caucus Chair.
As a member of the House Education Committee, Representative Harris supported legislation that would prevent minors from using vapor and tobacco products, require the Professional Educator Standards Board to adopt rules providing for reviewing and vacating reprimands related to behavior that does not involve students, provide meals for all students, and improve the consistency and quality of training for paraeducators. Importantly for school leaders, he sponsored our request in 2024 for additional funds for principal internships which increased the current funding level by $223,000.