PANAMA CITY — Karen Hall has been named the 2015 Support Employee of the Year for Bay District Schools.
“We’re in it for the kids. That’s where our hearts are,” Hall said at the award ceremony Thursday night.
Hall, who was shocked at the announcement, said all the nominees have wonderful qualities and that she was honored to be in the group.
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The school district and the Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union hosted the ceremony at Florida State University Panama City’s Holley Academic Center.
Hall is assistant to the executive director of human resources and works in the Nelson Administrative Building on Balboa Avenue.
She said she is not in it for the money.
“It’s all about our students,” she said.
Bay District School Board Chairman Steve Moss said support employees are the glue that holds the district together. And while they often are overlooked, they serve a critical role.
According to Moss, part of ongoing renovation at the Nelson Building will feature a shelf to recognize support employee award winners through the years.
“Thank you for everything you do,” Moss said.
Bay District Superintendent Bill Husfelt said the spouses and families of the nominees should also be recognized.
“We know all you put up with,” Husfelt said.
Hall was instrumental in her department in the conversion of paper-based procedures to online computerized forms, according to her introduction for the award. She also provided technical support for her colleagues and other district employees.
Hall also coordinated a complete renovation of the Human Resources offices. She met every deadline and ensured the department always was up and running, according to her introduction.
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The other four finalists were Bay High administrative secretary Marion Harrington, Surfside Middle clerk Vicki McMichael, Northside Elementary bilingual paraprofessional Rosa Peralta and purchasing clerk Jackie Dorman.
Hall was selected from 42 nominees across the district. She will represent Bay District Schools in the state recognition program.
The program is meant to “bring attention to the exemplary efforts of school support employees … who are critical to the successful operations of public schools and support departments,” according to the school district.
