Bob Lorence, principal of Umatilla High School, was honored as the 2018 Doug Flatt Memorial Leadership Award winner by the InterMountain Education Service District and Mid-Columbia Bus Company.

Lorence received the award May 14 during the 19th annual Crystal Apple “Excellence in Education” Awards at the Pendleton Red Lion Hotel. The leadership award is named for the late Doug Flatt, who was the chief executive officer of Mid-Columbia Bus Company. Flatt died in an October 2003 plane crash while on business.

In guiding the growth and operation of MidCo, Flatt exemplified the finest qualities of leadership, attention to detail, service to his community, interpersonal relationships and customer service. The purpose of the award is to recognize a school administrator from a Mid-Co school district who exemplifies the same qualities for which Flatt was legendary. The award is sponsored by InterMountain ESD and Mid-Columbia Bus Company.

Each year, one administrator is chosen from Umatilla, Morrow or Union counties to receive the award. Mid-Columbia representative Cindy Nicholson, regional director of operations, presented the award along with Mark Mulvihill, IMESD superintendent.

Mulvihill said Lorence is noted for his calm, steady demeanor and a reserved leadership style. When Lorence assumed leadership of Umatilla High School in 2016, the school was known as student-centered, but also had poor academic performance, in particular a graduation rate consistently below the state average.

By using data effectively to monitor students, meeting with them individually and embracing wraparound and outside resources to provide a “whole child” support system, Lorence improved the graduation rate to 82 percent, five points above the state average, said a press release from IMESD. This is the first time the district has exceeded the state average in every single student group.

“Bob Lorence deserves to be recognized for his dedication and hard work in Umatilla. He is passionate about student success and courageous and relentless in his decision making,” Mulvihill said.

Lorence has worked in the Umatilla district for 27 years, first as an elementary teacher, then as an elementary vice principal and principal before his current job as high school principal.

For more information, contact Michele Madril, IMESD director of communication & print solutions, at michele.madril@imesd.k12.or.us or 541-966-3115.