Jerry Valentine, Principal of Alma High School, was been named the Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals/2000 MetLife/NASSP State Secondary Principal of the Year. Mr. Valentine was eligible for the 2001 MetLife/National Principal of the Year. The State and National Principal of the Year Award Program annually recognizes outstanding secondary school leaders who have succeeded in providing high quality learning opportunities for students. The program honors secondary school principals who have demonstrated that they are willing to take risks to improve student learning, anticipate problems, ensure a good school climate, and work for positive change.

Valentine has been principal of Alma High School since 1986. Before becoming principal he was a teacher and assistant principal at Alma High School. He has an Educational Specialist Degree in Secondary Administration from the University of Arkansas. Valentine has been an active member of the Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals since 1983, and is a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. He has served as President of the AAAA West Conference and President of the Arkansas Activities Association District 4. He is presently serving on the board of directors of the Alma Chamber of Commerce and the Alma Housing Authority. He is also a member of the Alma Volunteer Fire Department. He was selected as the Arkansas Administrator of the Year by the Arkansas Student Council Associaton and his school has received the Arkansas Activities Association State Sportsmanship School Award for two years.

Mr. Valentine is committed to open lines of communication with parents and community leaders. He has revised graduation requirements several times to encourage higher expectations and to better meet student and community needs. He has worked with Westark College to establish a concurrent credit program to enhance student opportunities in the vocational and technical fields.

Charles Dyer, Superintendent of the Alma Public Schools, had this comment: "Mr. Valentine has the ability to energize his staff in collaborative efforts toward school improvement. He provides the staff with leadership and focus, and solicits their active involvement. This has resulted in student achievement that is among the highest in the state, both in academic areas as well as extra curricular. He sets extremely high goals for himself, his staff, his students and his school."

The Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals will recognize Valentine at their Annual Fall Conference in November. In March, 2001, he will be recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals in Phoenix, Arizona.