Schools

Updated: K-L District Will Begin Search for New High School Principal

District officials respond to the news of Ellen Doherty's new job offer.

Updated:

 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Kreutzer released a statement via the district's public relations firm, Syntax, this morning:

We have been informed that John Jay High School Principal Ellen Doherty has interviewed for and accepted a position in the White Plains School District. We thank her for the years of service and contributions she has provided to our district, students, and faculty. The Board of Education will begin a wide-ranging search for a new high school principal and will share updates in the coming months.

Find out what's happening in Bedford-Katonahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

First story:

Find out what's happening in Bedford-Katonahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


The White Plains City School District is expected to approve the appointment of Ellen Doherty as their next high school principal. Doherty currently serves in that role at

The appointment is included on a public agenda for the White Plains board of education, which is uploaded with this story. The school board meets at 7:30 p.m.

If approved, the three-year probationary appointment would begin July 1, 2012.

The news may come as a surprise to some families in the district and will be disappointing to others who turned to social media about three weeks ago in a campaign to keep Doherty in the Katonah-Lewisboro district.

"Ms. Doherty has been a visionary principal who  transformed JJHS in the past four years," said Donna Walsh, one of the Facebook page creators. "She invites students, faculty, parents and community members to partner with her to improve and grow the curriculum, to build strong connections between all the different groups in our school community, to honestly share feedback and to work together to make JJHS a school that empowers students to be their best."

Doherty joined the Katonah Lewisboro School District in 2003, after working at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES as a social worker and program supervisor. She started as the assistant director of special services, was later promoted to director of special services. In 2008 she was appointed principal at John Jay.

In a 2010 interview with Patch, Doherty said one of the things she was most proud of achieving during her tenure as principal was her work on the district's long range plan and creating a space where students feel respected.

"There's a difference between managing student behavior and being a part of a community. We are consistent and fair—which isn't always equal," she said then.

Patch has contacted Doherty and school officials for comments. Check back with Patch for updates to this story.


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