It was a difficult decision for Dave Cobb to retire from the Rockwood School District.
Dave Cobb
Cobb, 50, of Ballwin will retire on June 30. He is in his first year as the assistant superintendent of supervision of schools after spending the previous eight years as the executive director of elementary education.
“I love my job so much. It made the decision tough,” said Cobb, who is in his 27th year in education. “I love the people I work with and what I do. It has nothing to do with the job in and of itself. I have spent 23 years in Rockwood, and every year has been incredible.
“I would say my last year has been my best year. That is the truth.”
However, Cobb said being eligible to retire at a young age and the desire to see his sons who live out of state more often were too much to pass up.
“I am fortunate because I started young, I can retire young,” he said. “I am taking advantage of that.”
Cobb started in 1997 as a teacher at Pond Elementary School. After six years there, he left Rockwood to become an assistant principal in the Parkway School District for four years.
Cobb returned to Rockwood in 2007 to become the principal at Bowles Elementary School. He then became the principal at Fairway Elementary School in 2011 before becoming the executive director of elementary education in 2015.
Cobb’s salary as the assistant superintendent of supervision of schools is $185,114.
“Dr. Cobb has invested an incalculable number of hours supporting teaching and administrative staff in all of our preschools, elementary schools and community education development,” Superintendent Curtis Cain said. “He’s built deep and genuine relationships with stakeholders. He’s been a valued voice on the cabinet team. His contributions will not be forgotten. Dave will be missed.”
Cobb’s role in Rockwood expanded this school year when he replaced Lisa Counts, who retired after the 2022-2023 school year.
He said he provided additional supervision and support at all schools instead of helping only elementary schools. He said he considers this year to be his best in education because of the relationships he developed before being promoted to his current position.
“When you have relationships with parents, staff and kids, you are able to do your job in a way where there is trust,” Cobb said. “My goal and job is to help administrators be better versions of themselves and be better leaders. You can do that more effectively when you know the people and have relationships. There is a big advantage to knowing the people. That is why this year has been so great. I know the people. There also is a collegiality and great respect for one and other. That helps me do my job effectively when you have such tremendous people.”
Cain said Cobb’s ability to cultivate relationships and foster stability, expectations and support will be missed.
“He is a team-centric leader with a calm, yet focused, approach,” Cain said. “He has a focus on kids. And he also has the ability to support, motivate, nurture and advocate for educators.”
Cobb said he will miss the friendships he has forged at Rockwood.
“I have gotten to know our kids in the buildings, first responders, community members, pretty much all of the teachers. The people are truly amazing,” he said. “There will be a void. My guess is I will stay in touch with a lot of people. A lot of friendships have been built.”
Cobb also said he is proud of what Rockwood has built. He said there is not one thing he can point to as standing out about his time in the district because every year it has improved.
“Every year, we implement something new, do something different or change something for the better,” he said. “I think the greatness of Rockwood comes from a progressive mentality of making ourselves better in everything we do. Instead of having one event, it is doing it better every year.
“There have been a lot of years of growth. That is where the focus is, having continuous improvement. Years of continuous improvement help make Rockwood the destination place that it is.”
Cain said Rockwood will look to find the best candidate to fill the assistant superintendent of supervision of schools role.
Cobb said whoever is hired to take over his position, he will do everything he can to help that person prepare for the job.
“I care deeply about the success of Rockwood,” he said. “I have a high level of interest in the success of whoever comes into this position. I want to be the best resource I can possibly be for the new person.”
Cobb said he will likely look for opportunities to work with other leaders to help them develop their skills. However, he has no immediate plans outside of traveling with his wife of 26 years, Kelly, to see their sons.
He said Tyler, 23, is a flight instructor in Arizona, and Andrew, 20, is a project manager in Texas.
“It is a blessing to have a wonderful family and being able to travel and see them more will be the first priority,” he said.