Dr. Rosemary Bradley
JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown School Board has approved the appointment of a new principal for Jamestown High School starting next school year. During Wednesday night’s board meeting, the board acted on making Dr. Rosemary Bradley the next JHS principal and also introduced her to the community.
Bradley currently serves as an assistant principal at BOCES in Sullivan County – situated at the southern end of the Catskills.
After being appointed Bradley thanked the board and said she looks forward to working at the High School.
“I want to thank [Board President Paul] Abbott and the board because you have entrusted your students and staff to me and I take that very seriously. I am honored. Thank you Dr. Apthorpe and the rest of the leadership team that met with me and got to know me. You saw past my resume and experience and you looked into my heart. You found something that you wanted for Jamestown and please know that the feeling is mutual,” Bradley said.
Bradley has over 23 years experience as an educator. In addition to her current role as Assistant Principal for Alternative Education Program and Special Education Program at the Sullivan County BOCES, she was also a science teacher for 19 years in grades 6 to 12 in the Rochester City School District. While at Rochester City Schools, she was also a curriculum writer for ELA and science, served as a literacy coach and new teacher mentor, and helped facilitate professional development for staff.
As part of her current administrative role at BOCES, Bradley rolled out new literacy programs, supported teachers in their progress monitoring and instructional planning, functioned as academic summer school principal, improved communications between school and families, worked with special education systems, and worked with high needs/at-risk students.
JHS has struggled in recent years with below average student achievement, primarily due to a high amount of absenteeism. Bradley said that she is plans to spend her first year at the school doing a full assessment of the challenges and also begin the work to correct them.
“One of my biggest goals is to build relationships. At this point I know nothing and have no answers, however, the number one goal is for me to get to know the staff and the students of that high school. It will be out of that interaction and building those relationships that then I can decide where I need to focus and grow,” Bradley said.
Bradley will replace current principal Michael McElrath, who is staying in the district after this year but will be responsible for a new role as overseeing the operations of the soon-to-be-opened Success Academy at the former Rogers Elementary School.
Bradley will start working in the school district on July 1.
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