Gallery • 3 Photos

Ali Pate

Mark Miles, Rockwood School District Superintendent announced his retirement at the end of this school year in a message to Rockwood staff and parents, April 9.

Miles took over for previous superintendent, Eric Knost, on July 1, 2019. Miles was previously the superintendent of Indian Hill Exempted Village School District in Cincinnati, Ohio, a position he held for seven years. The RSD Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Miles. 

Rockwood School Board President Loralee Mondl announced during the Feb. 18 board meeting that the Board of Education voted unanimously on a one-year extension of his contract.

“This has certainly been a challenging year for school districts across the country,” Mondl said in a news release.. “Dr. Miles has led with grace and compassion through some difficult decisions that no superintendent has been faced with prior to this year. He has kept students and their education, as well as the safety of students, staff and families, as his focus and we are confident in his ability to lead our District moving forward.” 

This Board action was to extend Miles’ contract through June 30, 2024.

Here is the message he sent to the community: 

Dear Rockwood Colleagues,

While I would certainly prefer to share this information with you in person, the timing of this official announcement does not allow me to do so. I wanted you to receive this information directly from me instead of from other media sources.

Yesterday evening, April 8, 2021, I informed the Board of Education of my intent to retire as Superintendent of the Rockwood School District and from PreK-12 education at the conclusion of this school year.

During the past two years, the emergence of a global pandemic has taken a social, emotional, and physical toll on many of us as we faced unprecedented challenges. As we strived to provide high quality in-person and remote educational services, we did

our very best in a difficult situation. I am so proud of our students who demonstrated grit, perseverance, and determination throughout the ever-evolving educational environment. I also remain so proud of each of you for accepting these challenges with patience, grace and optimism, as well as the parents and community members who partnered with the District while exhibiting flexibility and understanding. 

In each of my professional roles, I have strived for excellence with care, compassion, and respect for others. As educators, we have been given an incredible gift – the opportunity to influence the lives of our children. I know the educators in my life certainly made a positive difference in mine, and I hope that I have done the same for the students I have encountered.

This is a bittersweet transition as my 26-year career in education comes to its conclusion.  There are so many students, colleagues, parents, community members, and Board of Education members who have provided support, encouragement, and inspiration.  I shall be forever grateful for the opportunity to serve as a teacher, principal, district office administrator, and superintendent.  I also wish to thank my family for their love and support throughout my educational career.  As I retire from PreK-12 education, new opportunities and leadership challenges await, and I shall embrace that future with enthusiasm.

I am thankful for my time in the Rockwood School District.  It is truly a special place with remarkable people providing exceptional opportunities for our students. Much work remains for the remainder of the school year, and I shall continue to work diligently for you, our students, parents, and community as we strive to fulfill the goals and objectives of The Way Forward as well as the mission of the Rockwood School District by doing whatever it takes to ensure all students realize their potential.

This is a developing story.