HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-05-2026; 4-a - Proclamation Honoring Jason Johnson as the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) 2026 National High School Principal of the Year 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Proclamation Honoring Jason Johnson as the National Association of
Secondary School Principals (NASSP) 2026 National High School Principal of
the Year
DEPARTMENT: Board of County
Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Jean Hamilton, Chair, Board of County
Commissioners, 919-245-2130
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation honoring Jason Johnson as National Association of
Secondary School Principals (NASSP) 2026 National High School Principal of the Year.
BACKGROUND: Orange High School Principal Jason Johnson was recognized in 2025 as the
Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year. In April 2026, Principal Johnson was named
the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) 2026 National High School
Principal of the Year. He received the recognition at the National Education Leadership Awards
(NELA) in Washington, D.C. on April 17, 2026.
Principal Johnson has been an educator in North Carolina for 28 years, serving in Chatham
County Schools and Guilford County Schools as a teacher and principal, in addition to his tenure
in Orange County Schools. Additionally, Johnson worked at the North Carolina Department of
Public Instruction (NCDPI) as a School Transformation Coach.
For the NASSP Principal of the Year program, each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the
U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools, and the Department of Defense Education
Activity select one (1) middle and one (1) high school principal to represent their state or
department. From those nominees, three (3) middle and three (3) high school finalists are chosen.
The NASSP Middle Level National Principal of the Year and High School National Principal of the
Year are selected from among the finalists. The award recognizes middle and high school
principals for their outstanding contributions to student success, school improvement, and
educational leadership.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact applicable to consideration of the attached
proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 5: PUBLIC EDUCATION/LEARNING COMMUNITY
2
OBJECTIVE 1. Foster collaborative relationships with formal and informal educational
organizations and agencies to provide opportunities for community members to meet,
connect, and learn together.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign.
3
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION HONORING JASON JOHNSON
AS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL
PRINCIPALS (NASSP) 2026 NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
WHEREAS, Orange High School Principal Jason Johnson has generously contributed
and worked tirelessly in public education for 28 years; and
WHEREAS, Principal Johnson served as a teacher, school transformation coach,
assistant principal, and executive director of Orange County Schools before returning to
his calling as a principal; and
WHEREAS, working with students, teachers, and families is at the heart of who Principal
Johnson is as an educational leader; and
WHEREAS, as principal, Jason Johnson is an advocate for equity in schools and
ensuring that student voices are heard; and
WHEREAS, Principal Johnson was recognized in 2025 as the Wells Fargo North Carolina
Principal of the Year, and was previously the 2010 and 2024 Orange County Schools
Principal of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson has also lent his expertise and experience to the Orange
County Schools Equity Task Force, the Orange County Government School Bond
Education Committee, the Orange County Business Advisory Council, and the North
Carolina State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) Advisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, Principal Johnson leads by listening to teachers, students, staff members,
and members of the community, and fosters a collaborative culture at Orange High
School;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby honor
Principal Jason Johnson for his recent recognition as National Association of Secondary
School Principals (NASSP) 2026 National High School Principal of the Year and
encourage the residents of Orange County to join with us in expressing gratitude for his
dedicated service to education.
This the 5t" day of May, 2026.
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners