Neely-O'brien Principal Honored

KENT - Tal Guppy, principal of Neely-O'Brien Elementary School in Kent, has been selected by the Elementary Principals Association of Washington as Distinguished Principal of South King County.

Guppy, 55, was selected from more than 100 principals. He will compete against 18 other nominees next spring for the association's top honor for Washington.

Guppy began working in the Kent School District 20 years ago as a teacher. He has been principal of Neely-O'Brien since 1990, when the school opened.

During his tenure, the school has begun an accelerated reading plan, a family learning center, before- and after-school homework clubs, and several innovative programs for transient students.