Two Shelby County Schools administrators were honored by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals for their outstanding educational leadership as the District 5 winners of High School Principal of the Year and Middle School Principal of the Year. The awards were presented during AASSP’s annual fall conference at the Grand Hotel in Fairhope.

April Brand, who served six years as principal at Helena High School before recently being named the district’s Coordinator of Secondary Education, was honored as the High School Principal of the Year for District 5.

Dr. Larry Haynes, who serves as the principal at Oak Mountain Middle School, was honored as the Middle School Principal of the Year for District 5. Haynes, who has served as principal at OMMS for 17 years, is also a finalist for the overall state award, which will be announced in the spring.

“Congratulations to two outstanding school leaders, April Brand, and Larry Haynes, on your recognition as Principals of the Year,” said Dr. Lewis Brooks, Superintendent of Education. “Shelby County Schools is proud of your commitment to excellence in education and leadership.”

Caroline Obert, who was serving as principal at Chelsea Middle School when she was honored with both the District 5 and state honors last year, was also presented with a commendation from Governor Kay Ivey. Obert now serves as principal of Huntsville Junior High School.