The South Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals (SDASSP) announced that the South Dakota High School Principal of the Year is none other than Wessington Springs Middle / High School’s Jason Kolousek.
“I’ll be honest, I was very surprised. I had kind of forgot I sent in the application,” laughed Kolousek, who said the application process is only available after winning Regional Principal of the Year, which he did in 2022. It is also thorough, requiring reference letters from not only the school superintendent but also a teacher, parent and student in the district. “As I told the kids, I feel good about it because I view it as a school award. Due to the wonderful students and great staff we have, it’s a great award for our school and community.”
Kolousek served as the elementary school principal starting in fall 2007 for four years. After that, he became K-12 principal for three years and has served as middle / high school principal since. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Dakota State University, Master in Administration from University Nebraska Lincoln and added to his Masters with Secondary Administration from Dakota Wesleyan University.
“Being able to work with kids everyday is the most rewarding thing about this. I get to work with all the kids in middle school/ high school in many different avenues,” he said, adding that the biggest challenge of the job is time constraints. “There’s just not enough time to be able to work like I want to work with every student and staff member.”
The SDASSP said the Principal of the Year program reinforces commitment to supporting “great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student.” The program elevates the principalship by identifying and honoring models of principal leadership. The Principal of the Year program recognizes outstanding middle level and high school principals who have succeeded in providing highquality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession. While Kolousek and the other award winners — Assistant Principal of the Year Amanda Olinger of Harrisburg East Middle School and Middle School Principal of the Year Todd Foster of Brookings Mickelson Middle School — will be formally recognized on Tuesday, June 11 during the State Principals Conference to be held at the Lodge in Deadwood, SD, Kolousek has received local support and accolades since the announcement.
“Student council gave me a basket and the middle school / high school put on a surprise assembly,” he said. “I also received school board acknowledgment and at the teacher in-service last week, we had a celebration.”
Kolousek said that during his tenure in administration at Wessington Springs Schools, he is proud of the continued success of programs such as band, music, FCCLA, FFA and drama.
“I’m very proud our kids have a lot of opportunities and the success those programs bring to us. I am also proud of the success our athletic programs are enjoying,” he said. “It’s nice to see the participation and success all of our programs have had from the fine arts to athletics to CTE programs and everything in between that takes place.”
Kolousek is quick to credit the family support he receives from his wife, Liza, and three daughters Kennedy, Kendall and Kenzie.
“I can’t do my job without the family support I have. It takes a lot of time away from them and it’s kind of a group effort,” he reflected. “Liza probably deserves this award for keeping me grounded and ceaselessly supporting me.”
