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Rockwood R‑VI board approves three administrative hires; Rose Awards nominations open
Summary
The board approved hires effective July 1—Dustin Hayes as activities director, Dr. John Kinecker as a principal, and Jennifer McBride as coordinator for literacy and speech (grades 6–12)—and the district opened Rose Awards nominations through Jan. 24.
The Rockwood R‑VI Board of Education on Monday approved three administrative hires that the superintendent said will take effect July 1.
Superintendent Dr. Kane told the board the district approved hiring Dustin Hayes as activities director at Rockwood Summit High School, Dr. John Kinecker as principal at Westridge Elementary (replacing a retiring administrator) and Jennifer McBride as coordinator of literacy and speech for grades 6–12. "Dustin and John are replacing Mitch Lefowitz and Dan Geisler ... who are retiring at the end of this school year," the superintendent said.
Why it matters: The hires fill leadership roles in school operations and curriculum support and are timed to coincide with retirements and a previously vacant position.
According to the superintendent’s announcement, Dustin Hayes currently serves as an assistant principal at Rockwood Valley Middle School and previously taught social studies for 14 years at Rockwood Summit High School and other area schools. The board was told Dr. Kinecker has served as principal at Walker Elementary (Hazelwood School District) since 2013 and holds a doctorate in educational leadership. Jennifer McBride was described as serving as K–12 English language arts content leader in Winfield School District.
The board also heard routine district updates: nominations opened for the Rose Awards (Rockwood Outstanding Service in Education), with a Jan. 24 deadline; and staff asked 2024 graduates to complete a follow‑up survey about their post‑high‑school plans. The superintendent said the district will share survey results with schools and use the feedback to assess program effectiveness.
The board approved the consent agenda and earlier minutes, and it proclaimed Feb. 3–7, 2025 as National School Counseling Week.
The hires were approved by voice vote and are effective July 1, 2025, the superintendent said.
