Ryan Dougherty Hired as New WDHS Assistant Principal

Ryan Dougherty is back in the fold at —only this time, the students won’t be calling him “coach.”

After because of a new administrative position at Bankbridge Regional School’s north campus, Dougherty will make his return to the high school with the start of the new school year, after being hired as the school’s new assistant principal for discipline and attendance Monday night.

Praising Dougherty’s energy and ability to relate to students, West Deptford Superintendent Kevin Kitchenman said that time at Bankbridge, where Dougherty dealt with students with behavioral problems, should serve him well.

“He has that experience in a smaller setting,” Kitchenman said.

After an initial pool of 33 candidates, Dougherty made it through a round of interviews among 10 candidates, Kitchenman said, before eventually becoming the administration’s preferred candidate.

The school board spent a lengthy closed session on the hiring, first talking with Dougherty, then debating among themselves about his candidacy. His approval came from an 8-1 vote, with school board member Don Hicks the lone dissenting voice.

School board President Christopher Strano said he’s glad to have Dougherty in the position.

“I think he’s going to be a very positive force in our district,” Strano said. “We’re looking forward to seeing him right away.”

Dougherty, who will make a pro-rated salary of $101,483 this year, replaces Donna Martello, who notified the school board last month she’ll retire as of Oct. 1.