Superintendent

Dr. Kathleen A. Dawson Becomes Superintendent-Director As Of July 1, 2022

Official Announcement:
 

The Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School Committee has voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Kathleen A. Dawson as Superintendent-Director of the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District effective July 1, 2022. The School Committee’s vote took place on January 26.

The School Committee and Dawson worked collaboratively to arrive at a three-year agreement beginning July 1.

The Minuteman district encompasses nine member towns (Acton, Arlington, Bolton, Concord, Dover, Lancaster, Lexington, Needham, and Stow) and includes Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School and Minuteman Technical Institute (MTI), a career technical education program for adults seeking courses in high-demand occupations.

Dawson comes to Minuteman from her most recent position as Deputy Superintendent of the Orange County School District in North Carolina. She has also served as a public school teacher or held administrative positions in Duluth, Minn., Boston, and Nashville. She received her Master’s in Education in 2001 from Harvard University and her Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015. 

“Dr. Dawson’s background working in public schools as an educator and administrator were compelling,” said Pam Nourse, Chairperson of the Minuteman School Committee, of Acton. “Her experience, passion, drive, and vision for high-quality education will be an asset to the future of Minuteman.”

“Nothing is by chance. My career has been grounded in innovation and excellence,” Dawson said. “I am honored to be joining the Minuteman community where we will continue to revolutionize career and technical education. This is our chance to ensure every student is academically strong, globally competitive, and future-ready.”

Dawson impressed the Minuteman School Committee with her variety of career experiences and creative approaches to continue Minuteman’s mission to provide a high-quality career and technical education, integrated with robust academics to all learners, including adult students who attend Minuteman Technical Institute. Dawson looks forward to challenging all students to aspire to their full potential, accelerate their learning, and achieve success in the 21st century global economy. 

Dawson will succeed Dr. Edward A. Bouquillon, who is retiring after 15 years of leadership of Minuteman. Dawson looks forward to building on Bouquillon’s work that has resulted in the implementation of an Academy Model, delivering advanced academic and career and technical curriculum, increased member-town enrollment, the opening of a new school building, and strategic partnerships with business, industry, and higher education. Dawson will work hand-in-hand with the member-district communities, the School Committee, the teachers and staff, the parents, and the students to create meaningful opportunities for all students.

“As Minuteman continues to move past COVID, expand its enrollment capacity and deliver high-quality career and technical education for all learners, it’s vital to ensure a smooth transition for students, teachers, staff, and families,” Bouquillon said. “I welcome Dr. Dawson into the role of Superintendent-Director.”