Two top school officials receive state honors
Two top-level school officials based in Tuolumne County were recognized recently by the Association of California School Administrators, an umbrella organization that advocates for 17,000 Golden State educators, staff for the county superintendent of schools announced Wednesday.
Wynette Hilton, superintendent of the Big Oak Flat-groveland Unified School District and principal of Tenaya Elementary School, was awarded Superintendent/principal of the Year for the ACSA’S Region 7, which covers Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.
“Wynette is a gifted administrator,” Nickie Lamm, principal of Don Pedro High School, said in prepared remarks. “She has the ability to wear so many hats and make it look effortless to everyone looking in. She has been an amazing and inspiring mentor and has pushed me out of my comfort zone, seeing the potential in me that I did not at first see in myself. I could not think of a more deserving person to receive a Supt/principal of the year award.”
The Big Oak Flat-groveland District is a rural district that operates two small high schools and a K-8 elementary school. Total district enrollment is about 300 students, of which 200 attend Tenaya Elementary School. The district follows the Tuolumne River from the northwest entrance of Yosemite National Park down to the Lake Don Pedro area, a distance of more than 60 miles, and encompassing 678 square miles. The district serves the communities of Groveland, Big Oak Flat, Moccasin, and part of the Don Pedro area.
Also recognized was Troy Ashton, director of technology and infrastructure services for the county superintendent of schools office in Sonora. He was named the 2021-22 ACSA Technology Administrator of the Year for Region 7.
“Troy constantly trains and reminds staff on how to protect not only the infrastructure of the entire internet of all schools in the county, he also helps us understand how our individu
al actions impact the ability of all students and staff to access the tools we need to achieve,” said Cathy Parker, county superintendent of schools.
Hilton and Ashton were both honored by the Association of California School Administrators at an awards ceremony held earlier in May. Hilton’s award was first announced in March.