Principal Rick Parker walked into a library full of teachers and staff members this Friday, and to his surprise, was named the Central Learning Community Principal of the Year.

   The Central Learning Community in contains 28 CMS schools located in central Charlotte. Some of the schools included in the area are Cotswold Elementary, Randolph Middle, and Myers Park High.

   Parker was surprised and honored to receive this title.

   “Being named the Central Learning Community Principal of the Year is definitely an honor to me. I know this would not be possible without the amazing staff at East Mecklenburg,” Parker said in a newsletter to the East Meck staff.  “To me it is a school award because all of our pride, respect, integrity, drive, and passion comes from how we work. I want to thank everyone for taking part in the surprise on Friday. You totally got me!”

   Parker will now go up for the CMS Principal of the Year against the other learning community Principals.