Rock Hill Schools Superintendent steps down after 4 years

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Rock Hill Schools Superintendent is stepping down just four years after taking the job.

Channel 9′s Jonathan Lowe spoke with that superintendent one-on-one about his decision.

Tommy Schmolze took the job back in 2021, coming in after a superintendent who quit one week into that school year.

ALSO READ: Rock Hill Schools names new superintendent after abrupt resignation one week into school year

After 32 years in education, Schmolze decided to step down at the end of the week.

“I have decided to announce that I’ll be retiring effective January 31st,” said Schmolze. “I knew this time would come; what I was hoping was to finish out the year, but I understand leadership transition.”

Including interim superintendents, there will now have been four leaders of this school district in four years.

The school board voted 6 to 1 to accept his resignation. Board Trustee Jennifer Hutchinson was the lone vote against it.

“I did not necessarily agree with the manner in which things were handled. I really care about Dr. Schmooze; I appreciate his leadership,” said Hutchinson.

Schmolze said he wasn’t fired or forced out; rather, he and the school board have been discussing the best way to transition to new leadership.

However, he admits leaving in the middle of the school year could be disruptive.

“I think it could, if not done right; we’ve done a really good job of preparing our leadership team for this moment,” Schmolze elaborated.

But Schmolze’s surprise announcement was not an eyebrow-raising moment. '

Board Trustee James Burns’ request for a district audit comes after Channel 9 revealed last month that the district was cutting several high-level positions to get more money in the classroom.

“I come to you tonight to ask for your help with an independent analysis of the Rock Hill Schools budget,” Burns said. “I, like many of you here, am ready to turn the page on some programs and positions that overlap, creating confusion and, most of all, time-consuming training.”

ALSO READ: ‘Had to be made’: Rock Hill Schools says job cuts will get more money into classrooms

Channel 9 asked Schmolze if Burn’s request was related to his earlier-than-expected retirement. He said, as far as his future plans, this would be his last time working for a school district.

“Not interconnected at all,” Schmolze explained. “What I’ll be looking at doing is how to coach principals, how to coach superintendents, and how to coach leaders in public ed to keep the focus on the kids.”

Doctor John Jones, who is currently the deputy superintendent, will be taking over as interim superintendent while the school board conducts a national search for Schmolze’s replacement.

As for a districtwide audit, all of the board members voted in favor of it.

VIDEO: ‘Had to be made’: Rock Hill Schools says job cuts will get more money into classrooms