Brian Dougherty named Sherwood Christian Academy’s new headmaster

ALBANY — Earlier this month, Glen Shultz made one of most difficult decisions of his career when he announced he was stepping down after nine years as headmaster at Sherwood Christian Academy. Brian Dougherty will take over as the school’s new headmaster.

“Now was the right time to make the move,” Schultz said. The Lord has clearly led me to know it is the right time to turn the leadership over to Dr. Dougherty.”

Schultz added that the time spent at SCA was one of the highlights of his 46 years in education.

“The nine years I spent at the school was one of the most rewarding periods of my career in education. Perhaps not in the number of students, but in mission and philosophy.

Dougherty came to Albany as SCA’s high school principal and assistant headmaster in July, 2011.

“I really see God at work at Sherwood Baptist Church and regard this school as another ministry of the church,” he said. “I wanted to be part of it. This is a very exciting time for us.”

Dougherty will be an integral part of the expansion of facilities and combining of the two campuses on Old Pretoria Road. That work began this summer.

The school is currently adding an elementary wing, a new stand alone media center and new kitchen and cafeteria. Near the end of the 2014-15 school year Dougherty said plans have been made to renovate the existing upper campus with a new brick facade, lighting and major work on a new science lab.

Dougherty said that lower campus will be combined into the upper campus for the 2015-16 school year. The single facility, he said, will be capable of handling 600 students.

“I came to Albany because of the opportunity to minister here,” he said. “Albany needs a school like this. I embraced the opportunity to (become headmaster) because I love this school and I love this community.”

Dougherty received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Purdue University and his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Ball State University.

So, what’s next for Shultz?

“I am looking forward to training the next generation of school leaders in biblical philosophy. I plan to really focus on that message,” Shultz said. “Sharon and I plan on staying in Albany. It’s our home now.”