Driscoll Principal Heidi Cook To Leave

BROOKLINE, MA — Driscoll School Principal Heidi Cook told families today she was leaving at the end of the school year to work in Cambridge. This comes just months after she announced she was looking to move on when she was named a finalist for a position in Newton in Newton.

"I have let Superintendent [Andrew] Bott know that I will help with the transition to new leadership in any way I can," she wrote in a letter to the community. She said she would end her term as principal at Driscoll at the end of the year.

Bott sent out his own missive to the community wishing Cook well in her next endeavors and addressing one of the elephants in the room.

"I recognize that learning about a leadership transition this late in the school year is challenging. I want to assure you that my team and I will be working closely with Ms. Cook, Mr. Youkilis, and the entire Driscoll community to ensure that students, staff, and families have a strong and successful finish to the school year," said Superintendent Andrew Bott in an email.

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Cook's resignation comes at the end of a steady stream of announced departures over the past year.

Cook started at the Driscoll School in 2011, before that she was Lincoln’s assistant principal from August 2009. She earned her master of education degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education and has another master of education degree in teaching and a bachelor science degree in psychology from the University of Washington.

She has also worked as director of the district’s summer reading program, Project Discovery. Before coming to town, she also worked as the summer school principal of the Boston Arts Academy, a sixth-grade teacher and a K-5 science specialist for the Boston schools, as well as a second grade teacher in the Seattle school system.

Cook was at the helm of the Driscoll School in 2015 when Larry Chen, the popular teacher inspired rallies, petitions and demonstrations to get him back in front of his classroom after he was removed without explanation that September.

"While I’m disappointed that Ms. Cook is moving on, our whole team wishes her well as she embarks on a new chapter in her career. My senior staff and I are working on finalizing a smooth transition and will be reaching out to the Driscoll community later this week to share the plan when it is finalized. I understand that principal transitions can be challenging so we will work closely with Ms. Cook and Vice Principal David Youkilis to make sure that students, staff, and families are well supported as we move forward," Bott said again in an emailed statement to Patch.

The superintendent's offices is in charge of hiring principals. Watch this space for updates.

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Her letter:

I’m writing today to share some important news with you.

I have accepted a principal position in Cambridge, and I will be leaving the Driscoll School at the end of this year. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with the children, families and staff at the Driscoll School. I will greatly miss this vibrant learning environment and the Driscoll community. Whether it’s our special PTO events like Science Solstice or Arts Equinox, curricular field trips, or the engaging everyday instruction, the whole Driscoll Community demonstrates the commitment to our motto “Joy in Thinking.” I have so many ideas and memories that I will take with me!

I have let Superintendent Bott know that I will help with the transition to new leadership in any way I can. The success of Driscoll students remains as important to me as ever, and I will continue to work through the end of the year to fully support the Driscoll community.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Warmly,

Heidi Cook

Superintendent Bott's email:

Dear Driscoll School Community,

Earlier today, Heidi Cook announced that she has accepted a position with the Cambridge Public Schools. I know you join me in wishing her all the best as she embarks on this new chapter in her career.

I am working with my senior staff to plan for a smooth transition to ensure that Driscoll will have the leadership necessary to support its teachers, students, and families in the year to come. I will be in touch later this week to share concrete next steps with the entire Driscoll community.

I recognize that learning about a leadership transition this late in the school year is challenging. I want to assure you that my team and I will be working closely with Ms. Cook, Mr. Youkilis, and the entire Driscoll community to ensure that students, staff, and families have a strong and successful finish to the school year.

Sincerely,

Andrew J. Bott
Superintendent

Photo of Brookline Town Hall - where the Superintendent's office and school district administration is housed, by Jenna Fisher/ Brookline Patch