News Summary
Rock Hill Schools has narrowed its search for a new superintendent to three out-of-state candidates: Eric C. Bracy, Deborah Elder, and Joshua P. Starr. Each candidate boasts extensive educational experience and leadership credentials. A meet and greet event for the finalists will be held soon. The new superintendent is expected to be appointed at the next board meeting, following the resignation of the previous superintendent.
Rock Hill, SC — Rock Hill Schools announced on May 14, 2025, that the search for its next superintendent has been narrowed down to three candidates, all from out of state, representing diverse educational backgrounds and experiences. The finalists are Eric C. Bracy from North Carolina, Deborah Elder from Iowa, and Joshua P. Starr from Maryland.
Each of the candidates brings a wealth of experience and educational qualifications to the table. Eric C. Bracy has 17 years of experience as a superintendent and has spent more than six years leading Sampson County Schools in North Carolina before taking the helm at Johnston County Public Schools. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from North Carolina Central University, followed by a master’s in education administration and supervision from Virginia State University. Bracy also holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University and was named the 2024 Central Carolina Regional Education Service Alliance Superintendent of the Year.
Deborah Elder has 30 years of experience in education and currently serves as the deputy/chief operating officer of the Iowa Department of Education, where she manages the department’s substantial budget of $5.1 billion. Elder is responsible for overseeing educational outcomes for nearly 487,000 K-12 students and over 86,000 community college students in Iowa. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in curriculum from the University of New Mexico, and she earned both an educational specialist degree in educational leadership and a doctorate in organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California.
Joshua P. Starr has served as a public education leader in multiple capacities, including his roles as superintendent in Montgomery County, Maryland, and Stamford, Connecticut, totaling ten years in these positions. He began his career teaching global studies in Brooklyn and has held significant positions such as CEO of PDK International and managing partner at the Center for Model Schools at HMH. Starr’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in English and history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master’s in special education from Brooklyn College, and a doctorate in administration, planning, and social policy from Harvard University.
In conjunction with the selection process, Rock Hill Schools will host a meet and greet event featuring the candidates on May 15, 2025. This public event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the district office located at 386 E. Black St. This provides an opportunity for community members to interact with the finalists and ask questions about their educational philosophies and visions for the district.
The search for a new superintendent was initiated following the resignation of former superintendent Tommy Schmolze, which took effect on January 31, 2025. Currently, John Jones is serving as the interim superintendent while the board conducts its search for a permanent replacement.
The search process is being facilitated by Zeal Education Group, a Delaware-based search firm specializing in educational leadership recruitment. The application window for candidates closed on April 20, 2025, with applications reviewed during a board meeting on April 29 before the finalists were invited for site visits to Rock Hill.
The Rock Hill Board of Trustees is scheduled to appoint the new superintendent at their upcoming meeting on June 2, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the district as it works to secure leadership that can guide its educational mission forward.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Rock Hill Schools Superintendent Search Finalists
- Wikipedia: General Information
- WSOC TV: Rock Hill Fort Mill School Districts Discuss Superintendent Search Process
- Google Search: Rock Hill Schools Superintendent Search
- Herald Online: Rock Hill Schools News
- Google Scholar: Rock Hill Schools Superintendent Search
- WSOC TV: Rock Hill School Board Starts Search for New Superintendent
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Superintendent Search
- WCNC: Rock Hill Schools Superintendent Resigns
- Google News: Rock Hill Schools
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