​ The Minnesota Association of School Administrators, with the support of Ehlers, Inc., is pleased to sponsor the Polaris Leadership Award, presented each fall in recognition of exemplary school leadership by an MASA member with twenty or more years of administrative experience.

The Award
The award is presented at the MASA Fall Conference.
The recipient receives a recognition plaque and a monetary award.
The recipient will be asked to address the conference attendees.
A news release will be distributed to pertinent media in the coverage area of the recipient.

Selection Procedure
Nominees may be self-nominated or nominated by another member of MASA.
Nominations must be made on the official MASA form available through the MASA office by the deadline date noted on the form.
The MASA Executive Committee will select an annual recipient.

Section Criteria
The recipient must be a current active or associate member of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.
The recipient will have at least twenty years of successful educational administrative experience. Administrative experience may include the principalship, central office administration, and/or the superintendency.
The recipient shall have demonstrated the following attributes or characteristics throughout their career: 

• professional courage leading to positive change 
• creation of a legacy of excellent leadership 
• a lifelong career contribution of commitment to excellence on behalf of all students 
• exemplifying positive reasons that a person would choose to practice 
• fostering innovation and ideas that make a difference for students and the school community 
• a lifetime of balanced achievement inside and outside of education 
• contribution to the practice of educational leadership through example and mentoring 
• exemplary conduct reflecting integrity and bearing emulation 
• significant tenure in each position to support district vision and affect positive change.

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Recipients of the Polaris Leadership Award

2022
Sandra Lewandowski, Superintendent, Intermediate District 287

2021
David Krenz, Superintendent, Austin Public Schools

2020
Jeff Olson, Superintendent, Saint Peter Public Schools
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2019
Gerald Ness, Superintendent, Fergus Falls Public Schools

2018
Lynne Kovash, MASA Retiree, Retired Superintendent, Moorhead Area Public Schools

2017
Karen Orcutt, Superintendent, Orono Public Schools

2016
James Hess, Superintendent, Bemidji Area Schools

2015
Chris Richardson, Superintendent, Northfield Public Schools

2014
Jerald Nesland, Executive Director, Freshwater Education District

2013
Ric Dressen, Superintendent, Edina Public Schools

2012
Wendy Shannon, Retired Superintendent, Byron Public Schools

2011
Jack Almos, Retired Superintendent, Hinckley-Finlayson Public Schools

2010
Harold Remme, Superintendent, New Ulm Public Schools

2009
Greg Vandal, Superintendent, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools

2008
Roger Giroux, Superintendent, Anoka-Hennepin School District