Smith
Union Elementary School’s principal has been recognized as the best elementary school leader in the seven-county region.
The Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) named Katie Smith 2023 District 9 Elementary Principal of the Year. District 9 covers south-central Indiana, including: Johnson, Morgan, Monroe, Brown, Bartholomew, Lawrence and Jackson counties.
Smith served as Northwood Elementary School’s principal for 16 years before taking the lead role at Union Elementary School in 2017, said Robin Betts, spokesperson for Franklin Community School Corporation.
She’s long shown excellence leading schools, IASP District 9 President Benji Betts said in an email.
“Katie is an exceptional leader that has taken on challenges in her role and accomplished them to the fullest extent,” he said. “She is great with students, staff and the community as a building leader. It is a well-deserved honor for her.”
The IASP recognizes the top school leaders from each of the 12 districts in Indiana. One of those 12 leaders will be named Indiana Elementary Principal of the Year this fall at the IASP Conference. If Smith wins, she’ll be the first Franklin Schools principal to win Indiana Elementary Principal of the Year since Creekside Elementary School Principal Mark Heiden in 2018, according to a news release from Franklin Schools.
“The hallmark of any school is having a great principal,” Superintendent David Clendening said in the release. “She leads with passion, love and is most deserving of this honor.”
