Posted March 24, 2008

The Lake Stevens School District has been named a first place winner in the American School Board Journal’s 14th annual Magna Awards program.

	Lake Stevens School Directors (L-R) Janice Thompson, John Boerger, Mari Taylor, David Iseminger and Rod Mace

The district was honored in the 5,000 to 20,000 enrollment category for its Student Assistance Program (SAP) that addresses alcohol and illegal drug use among teens. SAP features two prevention/intervention specialists and an anonymous district and community student referral system.

The Magna Awards recognize districts across the country for outstanding programs that advance student learning and encourage community involvement in schools. This year three grand prize, 15 first place, and 15 honorable mention winners were named.

“For more than a decade, the Magna Awards have showcased innovation and bold steps taken by school districts every day to address the many challenges facing public education,” said Marilee Rist, ASBJ’s publisher and assistant executive director of the National School Boards Association. “This year’s entries reflect the hard work of school boards, superintendents, and staff who strive to meet changing community needs in creative and innovative ways.”

Lorna Donatone, president of Sodexho School Services, said, “The Magna Awards are a special honor because they celebrate partnerships that challenge traditional approaches and conventional thinking in education. This year’s winners are an inspiration to others because they illustrate how school boards and communities can advance student learning through innovation and perseverance.”

ASBJ initiated the Magna Awards in 1995 to recognize school boards for taking bold, innovative steps to improve their programs. An independent panel of school board members, administrators, and other educators selected this year’s winners from more than 250 submissions.

The 2008 winners are highlighted in a special supplement to the April issue of American School Board Journal (www.asbj.com), the editorially independent education magazine of NSBA. Magna Awards details are found at www.asbj.com/magna.

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