May 20, 2025

Eric Bracy Named Finalist for Rock Hill Superintendent Position

News Summary

Eric Bracy, superintendent of Johnston County Public Schools, has been selected as a finalist for the superintendent role in Rock Hill, SC. With the Rock Hill school board conducting a thorough search following the resignation of Dr. Tommy Schmolze, Bracy visited the district to engage with community members. His tenure has been marked by improvements in student achievement, although challenges remain in staffing and facilities. The decision on the new superintendent is anticipated by late May.

Rock Hill, SC – Eric Bracy, currently the superintendent of Johnston County Public Schools in North Carolina, has been named as a finalist for the superintendent position in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The Rock Hill school board is in the process of selecting a new leader after the resignation of Dr. Tommy Schmolze, which took effect on January 31.

Bracy’s candidacy comes as the Rock Hill school board has engaged the services of the Zeal Education Group, a consulting firm leading the search for the new superintendent. The board chairwoman, Helena Miller, has not provided any comments regarding Bracy or other candidates amidst the ongoing selection process. Bracy visited Rock Hill this past Thursday to engage with school staff and community members about the position.

As of now, Bracy has opted not to make any public statements regarding his candidacy for the Rock Hill superintendent role. Similarly, Lyn Andrews, chairman of the Johnston County Board of Education, has refrained from commenting on Bracy’s job pursuit.

Since taking over Johnston County Public Schools on July 1, 2020, Bracy has overseen a period of steady improvement in student achievement within the district. However, he did not achieve his goal of having all schools score a C or better on their state report card. Johnston County serves approximately 37,000 students across 48 schools, whereas the Rock Hill school district enrolls around 16,500 learners across 25 schools.

The selection of a new superintendent in Rock Hill comes in light of several important factors. The Rock Hill school district benefits from strengths such as strong community support and a diverse student body, complemented by dedicated teachers and safe learning environments. However, the district is also coping with significant challenges, including staffing shortages, issues in communication, a lack of concentration on student achievement, budget limitations, declining enrollment, and inadequate facilities.

There have been raised concerns regarding transparency, accountability, leadership stability, discipline, and student engagement within the district. These challenges underline the importance of the new superintendent’s role in steering Rock Hill Schools toward improvement.

Bracy would potentially receive a salary in the neighborhood of $300,000 if appointed in Rock Hill. The school board received a total of 25 applications from candidates hailing from 17 different states for the coveted superintendent position. Alongside Bracy, other finalists for the role are Deborah Elder, who serves as the chief operating officer of the Iowa Department of Education, and Joshua Starr, a former superintendent from Maryland with extensive experience in the education sector, including both nonprofit and corporate roles.

Deborah Elder possesses over 30 years in education and is responsible for managing Iowa’s $5.1 billion education investment. Meanwhile, Joshua Starr has held superintendent positions in Maryland and Connecticut and has showcased his expertise through various roles in the education field.

To foster community engagement, the Rock Hill Schools Board will conduct a meet-and-greet event for the finalists on May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the district office. A decision regarding the new superintendent is anticipated by May 28, following the review of candidates during a board meeting held on April 29, after the application window closed on April 20. In the interim, John Jones is currently serving as the interim superintendent for Rock Hill Schools.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL

The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.

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