Rock Hill School District names Superintendent
The Rock Hill School District names its superintendent. See message below.
The Board of Trustees of Rock Hill School District is pleased to announce that Dr. Deborah Elder has been named the finalist for Superintendent, and the Board has authorized contract negotiations with her. Dr. Elder currently serves as Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Iowa State Department of Education.
At its meeting on May 16, after conducting final interviews and careful deliberation, the Board voted unanimously (7-0) to authorize the Board Chair to begin contract negotiations with Dr. Elder. At that time, the Board could not publicly identify her due to required notifications related to her current position in Iowa. Those requirements have now been fulfilled.
Pending successful contract negotiations, the Board intends to formally approve the contract and finalize Dr. Elder’s hiring as Superintendent at its meeting on May 28. The Board is both pleased and excited for our community to have the opportunity to welcome Dr. Elder as the next Superintendent of Rock Hill School District.
She has previously served as deputy director and chief operating officer of the Iowa State Department of Education. 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. She has degrees from the University of New Mexico, and a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern Cal. She has been married for 31 years and has two adult sons.
