Oak Grove has new superintendent

The prospect of leading the Oak Grove School District was not the only thing that interested Freddie Doherty. He also thought that Oak Grove High School would be a good place for his 14-year-old son.
“Oak Grove has the reputation of providing an outstanding education,” he said about becoming the new Oak Grove superintendent. “It’s a place that I’d not only like to lead, but also want my own son to attend. My family’s interaction with Oak Grove community members through academic and sports events have shown us that Oak Grove is where we want to leave.”
Doherty, currently the superintendent of the Sherwood-Cass School District, southeast of the Kansas City area, accepted the position in Oak Grove earlier this week. James Haley resigned as superintendent in May to become superintendent of the Warsaw School District. His last day was Tuesday.
“We are so eager for him to come here and get started,” said Sue Alexander, president of the Oak Grove Board of Education. “He will be a good fit in Oak Grove.”
Doherty, 51, received a bachelor of science in education from the then Southwest Missouri State University in 1981. He also received a master of science in secondary education and a specialist in education administration from the university.
Doherty began his education career as a coach and physical education teacher in the Niangua School District. He later taught in the Hartville, Springfield and Mansfield school districts before arriving at Sherwood-Cass in 2004.
“The school board and community support I have received at Sherwood has been phenomenal,” he said. “Together, we have made many improvements and are headed in a very positive direction. It’s hard to leave when things are going so well.”
Alexander said it was Doherty’s experience made him a good choice for Oak Grove.
“He knows what it is like to be a classroom teacher and has the experience we were looking for,” she said. “This was the next step for him to take on a larger role.”
For the time being, Doherty will be splitting his time between Oak Grove and Sherwood-Cass, spending most afternoons getting Oak Grove ready for the coming school year.
“There is a short period of time to wrap up my work at Sherwood and lay the groundwork for a smooth transition for my successor,” he said. “At the same time, I need to be at Oak Grove so I can prepare for the upcoming school year. My goal at Oak Grove is to lead an already successful district to accomplish its mission of preparing each of its students to become productive citizens.”