Thomas Wootton School Principal Found Dead

The principal of Thomas Wootton High School, Dr. Michael Doran, died Wednesday morning at his Bethesda apartment, school authorities said.

Doran was found unresponsive at his residence and pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Larry Bowers, interim superintendent for Montgomery County Public Schools, said in a letter to the community (See Full Letter Below) that Doran’s death comes as a shock. Counselors will be on hand at the school the rest of the week to support students, and the system will also have support available for school employees.

“I know you join me in keeping Dr. Doran’s family, colleagues, students, and friends in our thoughts and prayers,” Bowers said.

»How will you remember Principal Michael Doran? Tell us in comments below.

Doran had been an educator for 40 years, and worked in Montgomery schools for 18 years. For the past 12 years he had led the Rockville high school, recently named by Newsweek as one of the top public high schools in America for 2015.

In June, when two recent school graduates died in a car accident after an underage drinking party, Doran spoke to the crowd of teens who gathered at the crash site. He opened the school to students and families to help the community cope with the tragedy, and posted information on the school website about talking to children about death and alcohol use.

“I love you all,” Doran told the assembled teens at the vigil.

SEE ALSO: Wootton Students, Alumni Remember Principal Doran

Patch will update this breaking news story.

»Photo of Dr. Michael Doran, courtesy of MCPS

Wootton HS Community Letter

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