Todd Simpson, principal of Reynolds Lane Elementary School, has been selected as the winner of the $10,000 Leonard Miller Principal Leadership Award presented by the Council for Educational Change. The award, which recognizes exceptional school leadership, is presented annually to an outstanding Florida school principal selected from a list of nominees from throughout the state.

The award honors the late Leonard Miller, a well known advocate for education. Mr. Miller was the council founder and former chair of its predecessor organization, the South Florida Annenberg Challenge. It recognizes exemplary school leadership in three areas: student achievement, parent/community involvement and empowering school-based leadership. The award is sponsored by Akerman Senterfitt, Baptist Health South Florida, Carnival Cruise Lines, the Cobb Family Foundation, Edward W. Easton, Richard and Susan Finkelstein, and the Lennar Foundation.

“Mr. Simpson has distinguished himself as one of our district’s most gifted and effective leaders, and he is an example of the very best in education throughout Florida. His students, staff and the entire district are very proud of his accomplishments,” said Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals.

Mr. Simpson was one of three finalists for this year’s award. His selection as the winner was announced by Steven Saiontz and Jeffrey Miller, former chair and co-chair of the council who presented him with the check in front of friends and dignitaries from throughout the state who attended the gala event held at the Miller home on Miami Beach. A special congratulatory video, with messages from the students at Reynolds Lane, was shown at the event.

“Todd Simpson is an instructional leader. The council believes that principal leadership is the key to unlocking a school’s potential and raising student achievement. This is exactly what Todd has done and we are proud to recognize him,” said Saiontz.

Under Mr. Simpson’s leadership, Reynolds Lane, a school serving a student population where 87 percent of the students receive free/reduced lunch, has moved from an FCAT letter grade of “C” to a repeating “A.” He has attributed his success, in part, to a review of the school’s vision and mission.

The two other finalists, Roxana Herrera of Palm Springs Elementary and Dr. David Moore of Miami Southridge Senior High both from Miami-Dade, each received $5,000. Award nominations came from a pool of principals who have been involved in programs sponsored by the Council for Educational Change. Mr. Simpson has been involved with the Partnership to Advance School Success (PASS) program with his partner, Mr. Russell Newton of Timucuan Asset Management.