Jim Crilly, a 2009 graduate of WSC's School Administration master's program and principal at Madison Public Schools, received the award from the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association.
Wayne State College graduate Jim Crilly has been named the 2026 High School Principal of the Year by the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA). Crilly is the principal at Madison High School.
Crilly, who earned his master’s degree in School Administration (PK-12) from Wayne State in 2009, began working in education in 1995 when he was hired as a history teacher at Ewing Public Schools. He became principal at Ewing in 1998. In 2001, Crilly was hired as a lead teacher/assistant principal at Madison Public Schools, and he was promoted to high school principal in 2011.
“The award was definitely a surprise, just because that rural association is pretty big,” said Crilly, who is retiring in June. “To be honored by your peers, as always, makes you feel good, like you accomplished something over your career.”
“You don't get awards like that unless you have great co-workers and staff and students,” continued Crilly. “A lot of it is a reflection of the good things that happen at Madison.”
According to its website, NRCSA represents more than 88,000 students in school systems across Nebraska. It has 222 member schools, Educational Service Units, and State colleges in 90 counties and 24 legislative districts across Nebraska.