'California Principal Of The Year' Goes To Elsinore High's Leader

Principal Jon Hurst has been named California Principal of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).

“It is a very proud day for the district, and quite an honor for Jon, who is in his sixth year as a high school principal with the Lake Elsinore Unified School District,” said Dr. Frank Passarella, District Superintendent.

Hurst was named Principal of the Year by Region 19 of ACSA earlier this year, which put him in the running for consideration by ACSA statewide, according to a LEUSD news release.

Elsinore High School is a California Distinguished School and an AVID National Demonstration School.

“To be recognized as Principal of the Year reflects accomplishments that can only be possible at a school with great students and staff,” Hurst said.

According to the news release, school pride is high at EHS. The school won its first-ever in December, it took third-place team honors at the and has a highly respected ROTC program.

ACSA’s Administrator of the Year Award program takes into consideration promoting student success, sound management of school resources, community and parent collaboration, ethics in leadership, and sustaining a school culture and instructional programs conducive to student learning and staff professional growth, the news release stated.

Hurst can be spotted throughout the community at various events, and is considered an approachable administrator who likes his job.

“While completing my Masters program, one of my professors closed his final lecture saying, ‘You’ve gotta love the children; you have to care,'" Hurst said. "That guiding principle has stayed with me ever since.”