HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2016-4666, by Representatives Jinkins and Fey

WHEREAS, Carla Santorno has received the 2016 Women in School Leadership Award from the American Association of School Administrators; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Santorno led her district in increasing graduation rates by almost 30 percent across all demographic groups; and

WHEREAS, Under Ms. Santorno's leadership, Tacoma Public Schools have initiated exceptional partnerships which have had positive results for the Tacoma school community; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Santorno helped initiate and establish the formation of innovative schools throughout the district that serve unique student populations, including the School of the Arts (SOTA), the Science and Math Institute (SAMI), and Lincoln Center; and

WHEREAS, Under Ms. Santorno's leadership, the district worked with the University of Washington Tacoma to create the Whole Child Initiative, a program that focuses on the whole child, including their social and emotional well-being, as part of their educational experience; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Santorno was among the first in the state to adopt the academic acceleration policy for all students in the district, automatically enrolling students in Advanced Placement courses; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Santorno worked with the Tacoma School Board to implement all-day kindergarten classes before state funding was allocated for this purpose, and moved aggressively to create district-based prekindergarten classes, including a bilingual preschool class where students learn to value their culture and home language; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Santorno has had a huge positive impact on the housing voucher and social service investment at McCarver Elementary that has become a model program; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Santorno embodies the caliber of Washington's best educators;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor the outstanding academic service of Carla Santorno as Superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor Ms. Santorno as a winner of the 2016 Women in School Leadership Award, as a community member of Tacoma, and as a nationally recognized educator of Washington State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of the Representatives to the Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the School Superintendents Association, and Ms. Carla Santorno of Tacoma Public Schools.