A Minnesota principal of the year lost the awards signifying that honor Thursday in a car break-in.

Kevin Bennett, principal of Fine Arts Interdisciplinary Resource (FAIR) schools in downtown Minneapolis and Crystal, parked his car outside his home in St. Paul. According to a police report, someone smashed a window and stole a laptop and backpack about 8 p.m.

The backpack contained a medal and a glass desktop award that Bennett received for being named Minnesota middle school principal of the year for 2012.

Bennett taught for three years in a Chicago public high school before he was hired by FAIR in 2004. He moved from assistant principal to principal in a year and is credited with helping to stabilize and improve the schools.

Bennett did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

CHAO XIONG