Dr. Judy Holton, center, a High Performance Principal from Jenkins County Elementary School, posed at the Governor's Mansion with Governor Sonny Perdue and State School Superintendent Kathy Cox. (Photo contributed) Governor Sonny Perdue and State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox congratulated 98 school principals from all over the state last week at a reception at the Governor's Mansion honoring Georgia's High Performance Principals. Dr. Judy Holton, the principal of Jenkins County Elementary School, was among the honored guests.

"Strong leadership is a critical component of our success to reduce drop out rates and increase the educational achievement of students in Georgia," said Gov. Perdue. "We're here tonight to honor and thank the high performance principals who have proven themselves as leaders and change agents in Georgia schools."

"As a teacher for 15 years, I know the impact a great leader can have on a school," said State School Superintendent Cox. "These principals are setting high expectations for all of their students and teachers, and they are getting great results."

Under the High Performance Principals legislation which was passed and signed into law by Governor Perdue in 2006, these principals, as well as high performing principals from outside the state, are eligible to receive salary supplements if they agree to transfer to middle and high schools classified as Needs Improvement schools.

High Performance Principals will receive a $15,000 supplement if they are hired as a principal in a Needs Improvement school. The supplement may continue for two additional years.

The High Performance Principals were chosen because students in their schools displayed higher than expected scores on state curriculum tests. To qualify, the principals had to have been in those high scoring schools since the 2002-2003 school year.