READ: A Farewell Message From Superintendent John Doherty

READING, MA — Reading Superintendent John Doherty retired Wednesday after 34 years in the Reading Public Schools, 12 of which he spent as superintendent. Read his farewell address to the community below:

Good Morning, Reading Public School Staff and Community,

Today is my last day as Superintendent of the Reading Public Schools and most likely my last correspondence to you. This 34 year journey has been an amazing experience and I do not regret one minute of my time here in Reading. As Superintendent, I entered when the H1N1 virus was emerging and I am leaving 12 years later when the COVID-19 is hopefully subsiding. During my time our district has had to endure the challenges that impacted children, both locally and nationally, including an economic crisis of 2009, MCAS and PARCC debates, new curriculum frameworks, two override elections, school security, social emotional learning, the need for classroom space, full day kindergarten, social justice issues, and the pandemic. I hope during these 12 years that the Committee and this community has looked to me for guidance, leadership, and trust.

There are many individuals and groups that I would like to thank during my 38 year career in the Reading Community and the Reading Public Schools. First, and foremost, I want to thank my family; my wife Laurie, my daughters Erin and Shealagh, and my mom, Josephine. They have been there and supported me and allowed me to do the things I needed to do to be an effective Superintendent and educator. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge where I began my teaching and coaching career and that was at Austin Preparatory School. I was fresh out of ULowell and I want to thank John McCarthy, David Boschetto, and Tom Enright for welcoming me and mentoring me at Austin Prep. Ironically, we “stole” John McCarthy several years later from Austin Prep and he finished his career at Coolidge where he became a favorite science teacher of hundreds of students.

My journey began in the Reading Public Schools began in 1987 when I was hired as a 7/8 science teacher by Jack Fasciano, Lou Adreani, and Al Lahood. During my early years, I was mentored by many including Dick Chapman, Janet Quinn, Marie Tomasello, Walter Fitzgerald, Anne Arington, Mary Ellen Begonis, and Nancy Kerrigan. These and others were amazing people who supported me to be the best science teacher that I could be.

During my time in Reading, many people took a chance on me for the next step in my career. Al Lahood and Lou Adreani took a chance on me at Coolidge and then advocated to keep me during the numerous layoffs Reading was experiencing in the late 80’s. Acting Superintendent Dennis Richards took a chance on me at 32 years old to become the Principal of Coolidge Middle School. Superintendent Pat Schettini took a chance on me to become the Assistant Superintendent of the Reading Public Schools, and the 2009-10 School Committee under Chairman Robinson took a chance on me to replace Pat Schettini when he became ill as Superintendent of Schools. I will never forget those who gave me those opportunities and believed in me. I have tried to never let any of you down. And I have always taken a chance on teachers, Principals, and Central Office Administrators and they have never let me down.

I am proud of the work we have done in Reading. I am especially proud of the programs and initiatives that I brought to the district to excite and engage students. As a teacher and science department chair, this includes Nature’s Classroom, Project Adventure, Science Olympiad, hands on science learning, and Science Olympiad Day to the Reading Public Schools. As a Principal, I worked with others to completely revise the middle school model, add middle school foreign language for all students, introduced the Blue Ribbon School Improvement Process, and increased the number of algebra sections from one in each middle school to four. During my Principalship, Coolidge became a National Award Winning School of Distinction for Teamwork and Governor Mitt Romney came to Coolidge as part of the award presentation. I supervised the Coolidge Middle School building project from 1998-2001. The total cost of that project in 2001 was 9 million dollars. Boy, have times changed.

As Assistant Superintendent, I worked with others to bring in curriculum maps, Arts Fest, Five Star Theatre Camp, AP Academies, Summer School, Robotics, Engineering and Design Courses, Teaching of American History Grant, Computer Science Courses, and a district wide teacher induction program. I taught a graduate level course called Expanding the Boundaries of Teaching and Learning to over 200 Reading Teachers on how to integrate technology seamlessly into their instructional practices. Many teachers have commented to me over the years that it is the most impactful professional development that they ever had.

And as Superintendent, I am proud of the work that I have done with others to strengthen town and school relationships, technology infrastructure, social and emotional learning, the Safe and Supportive Schools Grant, Youth Mental Health First Aid Grant, chemical health, school and building security, identifying additional space for schools through modular classrooms, increasing full day kindergarten and preschool, establishing a strong relationship with the Reading Police and Fire Departments, School Resource Officers, the Coalition, and addressing hateful graffiti in our schools. We have improved our special education programs and have strengthened and will continue to strengthen our special education literacy practices.

From a financial perspective, I am proud of the fact that our budgets have always been realistic, practical, and sustainable. We have always managed our budgets well. The work that YES for Reading, Bob LeLacheur, Gail Dowd, and others did is the most significant financial achievement over the last 18 years in the Town of Reading. I am proud of the work that we have been able to do with our facilities in building 9 modular classrooms, added roofs, windows, and boilers, and improved the Turf II field. Turf I and the Track will be done a year from now. Hopefully, Killam will not be too far behind.

I am proud of the contributions that I have made at the state level serving as Co-Chair of the Safe and Supportive Schools Commission, Chair of the MASS Professional Development Committee, Committees at DESE on Educator Evaluation, Assessment, and Curriculum. I have served on National Committees with Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and his team on State Curriculum Standards, and PBIS.

I am proud of all of the students that I taught that have become successful in their careers. Some are now parents in the Reading Public Schools and it is so fulfilling to see their children attend the same schools that they attended. They are making real contributions to society. I am also proud of all of the administrators that have been under my tenure that have advanced their own careers. Since I have been Superintendent, two administrators have become Superintendents, two have become Executive Directors in Special Education Collaboratives, and five have become Assistant Superintendents. And recently, one became a principal in another school district.

My final comments is to say thank you to our current Administrative Team of Principals, Central Office Administrators and Directors. I am proud to say that I have hired all of them and have worked with many of them for the last five years and this group is the most talented, dedicated, and hard working group that I have ever worked with. I want to especially thank Gail Dowd and Jennifer Stys who have gone well beyond their job descriptions this year and have done everything possible to keep this district afloat during a very difficult year.

As I close out my remarks, I have always given it all and left nothing on the table. Did I make mistakes? Absolutely, every single day on my career. But, I can leave today on June 30th with my head held high knowing that I always, always tried to do what was best for the children and staff of the Reading Public Schools. It is my hope that I have left the school district in a very good place, as I pass the torch to Superintendent Milaschewski.

Thank you.
John Doherty
Superintendent
Reading Public Schools