Superior School Superintendent Scott Kinney has been named the Western Montana Superintendent of the Year and the school held an assembly Wednesday afternoon to present the award to Kinney.

The fourth year superintendent was surprised to learn that he was selected at the School Administrators of Montana’s recent annual conference. Kinney was picked out of 27 districts which range from Hot Springs to Deer Lodge and includes all schools from Class AA to C.

He says receiving the award is a humbling experience.

“I’m very fortunate to have a group from Missoula where we meet once month, and these two guys have both won and they are my coaches and my mentors. Mr. Magone actually sat on my college dissertation when I got my Masters degree. I’m very, very honored and thankful and it means a lot to me.”

Kinney is preceded by Dr. Corey Austin of Target Range School. Austin along with Michael Magone of the Lolo School, who won the award two years ago, presented Kinney with his plaque. Kinney was surprised with the award presentation because he was told the assembly was for BPA students. They had just returned from Orlando, Florida for the National Business Professionals of America Conference.

Magone said the presentation was special because he has long-standing Superior roots since his family has been ranching in the area since 1910 and one of his cousins is local resident, Diane Magone. His parents grew up in Superior and the area is near and dear to his heart. He’s also known Kinney and his family for a number of years and plans on moving back to the area within the near future.

Austin said Kinney is one of nine regional superintendents across the state who won an award. He is now eligible to run for the State Superintendent of the Year Award which will be held in October in Billings. Both Austin and Magone have been named State Superintendent of the Year.

The selection process for this award is through nominations to western Montana superintendents. A committee then gets together and reviews how the superintendents’ year has gone.

Austin said that Kinney’s philosophy in education is to expect more and he also holds state legislators and lawmakers accountable and brings them the view of what Superior has to offer

“Kinney is a good collaborative person and not just for the school district here but amongst us. We have superintendent and other types of meetings and Scott is always great to ask questions and also provides helpful information that helps the rest of us,” said Magone. “Even though he’s fairly young for being a superintendent he’s a good mentor for the rest of us. It’s not an age thing, it’s what’s working for you that also might work for us.”

There is a long history at the school for Kinney whose father, Bob, also taught at Superior School for over 20 years. Kinney said that he is the only one who has been born and raised in the same community that he’s now superintendent for.

That gives him lots of community ties. For example, Dan Hazlett, who was just recently elected onto the Superior Board of Directors, was his junior high math teacher and Scott even babysat for Hazlett’s kids.