Braintree's Ross Elementary School Tabs Next Principal

BRAINTREE, MA — Ross Elementary School will have a new principal for the 2023-2024 school year.

After the April 24 School Committee meeting, town residents, parents of students and other school officials now know for sure that Dawn Durant will take the principal role at Ross.

Durant, a Braintree resident, comes to Ross from the Curley School in Jamaica Plain, where she serves as assistant principal for kindergarten through second grade.

Early on in the process, Durant separated herself from the 19 initial candidates and seven who received interviews. Three candidates were then asked back for second interviews before Durant became the choice.

School Committee members highlighted her experience in special education and knowledge of the town as highlights for her candidacy.

Durant said she was happy with her career in Boston, but always left the door open for Braintree and only Braintree.

"When this opportunity presented itself I need to throw my hat in the ring, and so grateful for this opportunity to join the staff, the families and the students at Braintree Public Schools," Durant said.

Ross will begin officially on July 1, when she will replace Jennifer Fay.