Congratulations to Jim Vidak, Tulare County Superintendent of Schools and a member of the Josephson Institute Board of Governors, who received the Charles Binderup Award on April 1, 2005.

The award goes to an individual who has shown exemplary California school leadership, and Mr. Vidak is the first county superintendent ever to win it.

In their nomination papers, several Tulare County superintendents cited CHARACTER COUNTS! as a reason for the award. Mr. Vidak has brought CC! to districts throughout Tulare County.

"He is probably unaware of the positive impact he has to those such as myself and other people who look up to him for guidance and support," said John Manning, superintendent of the Palo Verde Elementary School District south of Tulare.

The award took place at the annual conference of the Small School Districts' Association, which represents about 500 California districts with fewer than 3,500 students.