Rock Hill School Board approves contract for Deborah Elder as superintendent
May 29, 2025 | York 03, School Districts, South Carolina
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The Rock Hill School Board on May 28 voted unanimously to approve an employment agreement with Deborah Elder, authorizing the board chair to execute the contract and naming her superintendent effective July 1.
The vote came after the board met in executive session and followed public remarks from Trustee Donald Belton, who formally moved to approve the contract. Belton — who described himself as elected from District 1 and speaking as a trustee for the whole district — urged the community and his colleagues to support Elder and said, “I intend to enthusiastically motion this board to enter a contract with doctor Deborah Elder to be our next superintendent. I pray it passes.”
Why it matters: The superintendent selection determines district leadership for academic and operational priorities, from student assignment plans to facility decisions. Board approval ends the hiring process and begins a transition that the board and speakers said will shape the district’s direction.
Board members offered a public welcome and appreciation for interim leadership during the transition. The board’s statement thanked the interim superintendent for service and recognized external assistance in the search process. In voting, the board recorded the outcome as an approval; the recorded tally was unanimous.
What the board said: Trustee Donald Belton framed the hire as a pivot from politics to governance and called for the community to “wrap your arms around doctor Elder and support her.” The board chair and other members publicly welcomed Elder and thanked the interim superintendent for his work during the search.
Context and next steps: The contract was negotiated in executive session, as the board stated, and the hiring vote was taken in open session. The board did not announce contract financial terms during the public discussion. Elder’s official start date is July 1; the board said it expects the community and staff to support her as she implements her priorities.
The board will continue normal governance duties and invited the public to participate in future meetings as the new superintendent assumes the role.
The vote came after the board met in executive session and followed public remarks from Trustee Donald Belton, who formally moved to approve the contract. Belton — who described himself as elected from District 1 and speaking as a trustee for the whole district — urged the community and his colleagues to support Elder and said, “I intend to enthusiastically motion this board to enter a contract with doctor Deborah Elder to be our next superintendent. I pray it passes.”
Why it matters: The superintendent selection determines district leadership for academic and operational priorities, from student assignment plans to facility decisions. Board approval ends the hiring process and begins a transition that the board and speakers said will shape the district’s direction.
Board members offered a public welcome and appreciation for interim leadership during the transition. The board’s statement thanked the interim superintendent for service and recognized external assistance in the search process. In voting, the board recorded the outcome as an approval; the recorded tally was unanimous.
What the board said: Trustee Donald Belton framed the hire as a pivot from politics to governance and called for the community to “wrap your arms around doctor Elder and support her.” The board chair and other members publicly welcomed Elder and thanked the interim superintendent for his work during the search.
Context and next steps: The contract was negotiated in executive session, as the board stated, and the hiring vote was taken in open session. The board did not announce contract financial terms during the public discussion. Elder’s official start date is July 1; the board said it expects the community and staff to support her as she implements her priorities.
The board will continue normal governance duties and invited the public to participate in future meetings as the new superintendent assumes the role.
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