By: Colton Robertson

Reporter

By: Kelsey Blanton

Reporter

South principal Charlie Belt is the top secondary school principal in the Kansas City area.

On Monday, Belt received the Greater Kansas City, Missouri Principals Association Principal of the Year award.

Belt, in his third year of being principal at South, received four nominations for the award from the association.

The award is a nice surprise for Belt, but he says that the award is more for the school than just him.

“It speaks more to what a great school we have,” he said. “We have so many great students, teachers, administrators, counselors, and just so many great things going on here.”

Students have come to know and enjoy Belt as a great principal. Sophomore Nathan Rockwell is a fan of Belt.

“He runs the school well. I see him everywhere; he’s always on the move checking on classes,and I think that is important,” Rockwell said.

Not only students have recognized Belt for what he has done here at South, but teachers as well. History teacher Eric Sapp said Belt isn’t only a respectable principal, but also man.

“He’s quite the guy, I respect him, and hope the school can have more success under him,” Sapp said.

Associate Principal Doug Mattson explained the nomination process.

“Four different people wrote letters of nomination, saying why he (Belt) deserved the award,” Mattson said, “Those letters then go to a panel where a vote is held, and that’s how he was selected.”

Belt is humble, and he expresses his love for this school and his confidence in this school.

“We’ve won state in basketball and football in the last 12 months. It’s got to be the easiest job of any principal in Missouri, when all the students are this happy,” Belt continued, “If I were to walk out of that door right now, and quit, this school would be just fine.”

Mattson has been colleagues with Belt for three years, and says that Belt’s focus has never changed, that it has always been about the students, and assuring that they are learning.

“His focus has always been on the instructional time, and making sure that the students are learning in a healthy environment,” Mattson said.

The students and staff have had a huge impact on Belt. He wants the best for everyone at South: every student, every teacher, every custodian, every counselor, and every administrator.

“My main focus has been making sure that everyone in the school enjoys their job, or enjoys coming to school, as an administrator that should be the focus for any leader,” Belt said.