Olathe superintendent Rowe marks retirement after decades, celebrates with colleague in filmed segment

Mister Rowe, Olathe superintendent, said he is retiring after decades with the Olathe School District and reflected on his career during a filmed “Carpool Karaoke” segment that also celebrated a colleague’s retirement.

The segment, recorded as a light, on-the-road conversation, covered Rowe’s time in the district, memories from different roles and the opening of a new Santa Fe Trail school building. Rowe described long service in Olathe and offered advice to staff and teachers as he prepared to leave the district.

Rowe said he has worked in Olathe for many years and recalled positions across the district. “I have been so blessed since 1986,” Rowe said during the conversation. He described classroom and administrative work that included six years as a first-grade teacher, four years as an instructional resource teacher and stints as a principal, including a 25-year principalship at Regency Place Elementary.

The recorded conversation referenced the district’s new Santa Fe Trail facility. Rowe said leading the opening of that building was an unexpected but valuable learning experience: “I learned so much about construction and furniture and everything,” he said. He also praised the Olathe School District and Board of Education for the opportunities created by the new building.

The segment mixed personal recollections with lighter moments: the host and others referenced Nebraska sports, music choices and a shared singalong; the host noted the segment was a “retirement version of Carpool Karaoke because we have some really great people retiring.” The group also paused at several district sites during the drive, including Lakeland North and the parking lot of Regency Place Elementary, and mentioned Olathe Northwest and the University of Nebraska in passing.

Rowe offered advice to teachers and district staff about relationships and daily improvement. “It’s all about relationships,” he said, adding, “get a little bit better every day.” He also cautioned newer staff about technology and communications, recounting an anecdote about unintended consequences when replying to email.

The recording identified that two people were retiring together during the segment; the host noted that joint retirement as distinct from other remarks. No legislative actions, formal votes or policy decisions were discussed or recorded in the transcript provided.

Rowe closed with a forward-looking wish for Regency Place Elementary and the district. “I wanted to continue to survive and thrive without mister O. And I also want mister O to thrive and survive,” he said in the exchange, underscoring the personal and communal focus of the segment.

The filmed conversation is a personal, commemorative record rather than a formal board meeting or public hearing; it contains recollections, praise for district staff and a summary of Rowe’s long service to Olathe schools.