Principal, Dolgeville Central Middle-Senior High School, Dolgeville, New York
Nominee: Ruby K. Payne
James D. Donnelly, Jr. is a 1982 Colgate University graduate with a Bachelor’s in International Relations and Political Science with two advanced degrees from Syracuse University in (M.S.) Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation, and (C.A.S.) Educational Administration. Mr. Donnelly chose a career in education that began in the classroom as a Social Studies Teacher. Since he has served in a number of leadership roles including: Regional Education Planner for the Fort Drum Expansion working as a liaison between schools and the DoD, Congress, and the Governor’s office; a District-wide Coordinator for Gifted and Talented Students; Humanities Department Chairperson; Assistant Principal; Dean of Students; Regional Summer School Principal; and the High School Principalship in the Dolgeville Central School District currently. In 1992 Mr. Donnelly was voted the first administrator in Central New York to be Rotary Outstanding Educator of the Year from New Hartford Central Schools. Mr. Donnelly serves on the SAANYS Governmental Liaison Committee meeting with the Commissioner and NYS Legislative leaders on educational issues. Mr. Donnelly was named the NYS SAANYS 2002 Secondary Principal of the Year. After being selected as one of three national finalists in 2003, Mr. Donnelly retains the honor of being named the first NYS principal in the history of the award to be the recipient of the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year for 2004. Mr. Donnelly resides in Dolgeville, NY with his wife Joanne, daughter Katie who will be entering 8th grade, and son J.D. soon to be in fourth grade. The Donnellys’ have two older children out on their own, daughter Denise Renee Brown (25) who is a graduate of the University of Florida and a son Mason J. Brown (28) a graduate of Colgate University and Duke University.
