The Rockwood School District is seeking input from the community to help with the search for a new superintendent.
Eric Knost, who has led the district since 2014, announced in October his plans to retire at the end of the school year. He also applied to be the next Missouri commissioner of elementary and secondary education.
Rockwood created a survey, using surveymonkey.com, to prioritize the leadership qualities desired in the next superintendent. The survey, which can be accessed through the district’s website at rsdmo.org, is open to students, staff, parents and community members.
The survey has multiple-choice and short-answer questions to identify what people want in the next superintendent and to share their thoughts on the current state of the district. The survey will be closed Dec. 11.
Rockwood will also host two community forums to answer the question: “What does it take to lead the Rockwood School District?”
The forums are scheduled for 7-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, at Lafayette High School, 17050 Clayton Road, in Wildwood, and 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Rockwood Summit High School, 1780 Hawkins Road, in Fenton.
The forums are open to students, staff, parents and community members.
Rockwood has hired Brent Underwood of the Missouri School Boards’ Association to oversee the search for a new superintendent, and he will conduct the forums.
Rockwood will pay MSBA no more than $23,200 for the search.
The Rockwood Board of Education plans to hire the next superintendent by spring 2019.
“This is an important decision, and we appreciate everyone’s input,” Board president Loralee Mondl said in a post on the district’s website. “We thank our school community for their continued interest and involvement in the success of our Rockwood students.”