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Dorchester District 2 expands assistant-principal cohort after pilot earns strong reviews
Summary
Superintendent and district leaders described a yearlong assistant-principal cohort program that split APs into targeted cohorts, ran six full-day sessions and reported strong survey results (average rating 4.91); participants and board members praised the program as a pipeline for future principals.
Dorchester District 2 trustees spent a substantial portion of their May 18 meeting on a pilot program designed to build internal leadership: a yearlong assistant-principal (AP) cohort that grouped APs by developmental needs and delivered six full-day sessions per cohort.
Superintendent Dougherty introduced the effort as part of a "grow our own" strategy for administrator recruitment and retention. The program divided participants into cohorts focused on culture and climate; instructional leadership; organization and management; and leadership development. Dr. Emily Duplantis, Carrie Balhage and other district leaders served as cohort facilitators.
Katie (S14), one of the cohort leads, summarized survey results: the program received an average rating of 4.91; she said "100% of all assistant principals strongly agree or agree that participation in the cohort was a valuable use of their time." She added that 63 participants rated the program at the highest level on a follow-up question and most respondents said the content was relevant to their roles.
Jeff Bedford, an assistant principal from Beach Hill, told the board he considered the cohort "the single best professional development opportunity of my career," saying it gave him practical strategies he could immediately apply in his school and opportunities to present at the upcoming state conference.
Board members praised the initiative and discussed next steps: adding cohorts targeted to brand-new assistant principals, minor pacing adjustments and summer kickoff meetings to reduce in-year pull on buildings. The district said it has secured funding to continue the cohort model next year and will expand offerings based on participant feedback.
The presentation did not require a formal vote; district leaders said implementation and minor scheduling changes will be made ahead of the next school year.
