Sewanhaka Central High School District Superintendent of Schools Ralph Ferrie and Elmont Memorial High School Principal Kevin Dougherty have been selected to receive the Nassau BOCES Education Partner Award.
The award pays tribute to outstanding community and business leaders, civil servants, government officials, nonprofit executives and volunteers, organizations, school administrators and staff, students, teachers and Nassau BOCES employees.
Ferrie came to Sewanhaka in 2011, leading the district in an $86 million bond referendum and overseeing an $18 million energy performance contract. In addition, he has implemented a 1:1 initiative with a goal of continued personalized and differentiated instruction for all students and established a Cultural Proficiency Committee to ensure the district’s diversity is celebrated and understood. He was also instrumental in implementing the Integrated Advanced Program for seventh- and eighth-grade students.
Dougherty began as principal of Elmont Memorial in July 2015. During his tenure, the graduation rate for Advanced Regents diplomas has risen from 45 to 55 percent. He has been integral in opening up advanced classes to more students and implemented a Schoolwide Enrichment Model. This program, which was piloted with two teams consisting of seventh- and eighth-graders, provided students with an opportunity to work on a cross-curricular project. Dougherty organized the school’s first Black History Month celebration and began the Men of Elmont leadership group, which helps young minority men become empowered and works to develop them into leaders within the school and their community.
Ferrie and Dougherty, along with the other honorees, will receive their awards at Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation’s 12th Annual Education Partner Awards Gala on April 11.
