Rock Hill School District announces choice for next superintendent
Rock Hill School District has selected an education official from Iowa as its top choice for superintendent.
Deborah Elder, the chief operating officer of the Iowa Department of Education, will begin contract negotiations for the role. Elder received unanimous support from the board.
Pending successful negotiations, the board plans to approve her contract during its next meeting on May 28, according to a news release.
Elder has served as the second-highest leader in Iowa’s education department since 2024. Before that, she held roles as interim superintendent, chief academic officer, principal and elementary school teacher. As principal, she raised her school’s state performance grade from a “D” to an “A.”
She’s also worked as the executive director of innovation and school choice for Albuquerque Public Schools, where she oversaw magnet and charter schools in the area.
She’ll replace Tommy Schmolze, who stepped down from the role at the end of January and retired mid-year. Schmolze held the position since 2021.
This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM.
