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TO CONGRATULATE DR. H.K. "PETE" STONE UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS SUPERINTENDENT OF SALUDA COUNTY SCHOOLS, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS SIX YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, Dr. H.K. "Pete" Stone for six years has held the office of Saluda County Schools Superintendent with dignity and excellence; and
Whereas, his honesty, intelligence, friendliness, and commitment to excellence in education have drawn admiration from those with whom he has worked, as well as from the citizens of Saluda County at large; and
Whereas, in preparation for a thirty-two-year career in education, Dr. Stone earned his bachelor's degree from The Citadel, his master's degree from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and his doctorate from Nova University. Beginning as a teacher, coach, and athletic director in Jasper County, he eventually moved into school and district-level administration and taught as an adjunct professor on the college level before entering into his duties with the Saluda County Schools; and
Whereas, Dr. Stone, during his tenure as Superintendent, has led Saluda County Schools to consistent, often dramatic, improvement in academic standing, resulting in Measuring Education Gains' ranking of the district as number one in overall improvement in South Carolina. Additionally, in 2007, eighty-seven percent of the district's students scored basic or above in writing on PACT, almost eighty-one percent of Saluda High School students passed the HSAP on the first attempt, the high school graduation rate was eighty-three percent, and the senior class won almost one million nine hundred thousand dollars in scholarships; and
Whereas, Dana Yow, Education Oversight Committee Director of Communication, had this commendation for the Saluda County Schools in November 2007: "We've always been fascinated with Saluda County because the population is changing and there are so many challenges in that district, yet they continuously make progress despite the diverse population and the changing face of the population"; and
Whereas, in addition to fostering academic achievements during his administration, Dr. Stone has overseen a multitude of facility improvements, such as the opening of the Educational Complex to house both the middle and high schools, with plans in the works for further improvements; and
Whereas, he has garnered a number of personal honors, among them the Wachovia Principal of the Year award for Polk County Schools in North Carolina, and he is a nationally recognized leader and practitioner in school restructuring and reorganization; and
Whereas, an avid athlete and sports fan, he was inducted into the Union Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 and was selected as Superintendent of the Year in 2004 by the South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association; and
Whereas, Dr. Stone, taking his responsibilities with the seriousness they deserve, has labored diligently as Superintendent of Saluda County Schools for the educational welfare of the young people committed to his care, and the South Carolina House of Representatives wishes him well as he begins his well-deserved retirement this summer. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Dr. H.K. "Pete" Stone upon the occasion of his retirement as Superintendent of Saluda County Schools, commend him for his six years of outstanding and dedicated service, and wish him much success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. H.K. "Pete" Stone.
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