Two Kalispell school principals honored

Two Kalispell principals recently were recognized as outstanding by their peers and co-workers.

Jeff Hornby, principal of Elrod Elementary School, has been named School Administrator of the Year by the Montana School Counselors Association.

Darren Schlepp, principal of Edgerton Elementary School, was nominated for the Montana Elementary Distinguished Principal of the Year by the Montana Association of Elementary School Principals.

“It’s a nice honor,” Hornby said. “I appreciate it comes from one of those groups that ... are there to try to support kids.”

Those groups likewise appreciate how Hornby supports students.

“He reinforces the good choices that students make with his personal comments and compliments to the students as he moves through the halls and on the playground. ... He is personable and interested in each of the students and their families, which they clearly can see daily,” school counselor Alison Schmaltz wrote in her nomination form for Hornby.

Schlepp was at an assembly last week to recognize Hornby.

“As he was walking in, the kids were chanting, ‘H-O-R-N-B-Y, Mr. Hornby rocks!’ That sums it up,” Schlepp said. “He does rock, and he deserves that” award.

“He’s definitely very motivating and enthusiastic and loves what he does. That’s evident in the climate he has set in his school.”

Schlepp was likewise deserving of his nomination, Hornby said.

“He’s a guy who gets the big picture,” Hornby said. “He really leads us in, especially in this era in big changes in education, he has the long-term vision as far as where we should be going.”

Hornby cited Schlepp’s leadership in Kalispell Public Schools’ Response to Intervention program, which provides additional support to students who need help in certain subjects, especially reading and math.

He also has helped lead the staff through curricular changes, according to one nomination letter.

“Change is a hard thing for anyone to go through, and the way Darren presents change to staff allows their input and inspires them to always look at what is best for kids,” the letter said.

Another nomination letter praised Schlepp for his leadership.

“Leadership affects the climate of a school in profound ways. There is a difference in being a leader and being an administrator; not all administrators are leaders,” the letter said. “Edgerton was fortunate to hire Mr. Schlepp, an administrator who understands the value of community and teamwork.”

Hornby has been with Kalispell Public Schools for six years, all of them at Elrod School. Schlepp has been with Kalispell Public Schools since 2001; before he became principal of Edgerton Elementary in 2007, he was principal of Russell School.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.