Senate Passes Collins, Smith Resolution Recognizing October as National Principals Month

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (D-MN), members of the Senate Education Committee, announced that their bipartisan resolution recognizing October 2019 as National Principals Month passed the Senate unanimously.  This resolution recognizes the important role principals play in ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education.

“Principals in Maine and across the country are stalwarts of our education system, working with teachers, parents, and local communities to make a difference in the lives of students and prepare them for the future,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution dedicates the month of October to our nation’s principals, recognizing their countless contributions and tireless devotion to ensure that every child has access to a high-quality education.” 

“School principals are community builders, academic leaders, facility managers and so much more,” said Senator Smith. “They’re responsible for creating school environments where every child can succeed, and where teachers and faculty can get the support they need to educate students and help shape them into future leaders. We need to do all we can to recruit, support and retain effective school principals.”

Click HERE to read the resolution.

This month, Senator Collins met with Holly Couturier, the Executive Director of the Maine Principals Association (MPA), to discuss issues facing school leaders in Maine.  As a member of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Collins has been working to address the teacher shortage in rural areas of Maine and throughout the country.  In March, she introduced the Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals (PREP) Act with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), legislation to increase access to high-quality teacher and leader training programs and extend federal support for educator recruitment.  The MPA has endorsed this legislation.