Editor’s Note: On April 8, Dr. Mark Miles informed the Board of Education of his intent to retire as the superintendent of RSD at the conclusion of this school year. 

Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles gave notice to the Board of Education (BOE) of his retirement effective Wednesday, June 30.

This decision follows a Thursday, Feb. 18, School Board meeting, when the BOE voted to pass a one-year extension of his contract through June 30, 2024. Dr. Miles served as superintendent since 2019 and has had a career in public education for 26 years. ​

In a letter to RSD parents and community members, Dr. Miles said he is proud of the grit, perseverance and determination students and staff demonstrated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and hopes he has made a positive influence on students.

“I shall be forever grateful for the opportunity to serve,” Dr. Miles said. “It is truly a special place with remarkable people providing exceptional opportunities for our students. New opportunities and leadership challenges await, and I shall embrace that future with enthusiasm.”

For the future, Dr. Miles said he will continue to support the mission of RSD to help students realize their potential and work with students, staff and parents to fulfill the objectives of The Way Forward, a five-year strategic plan to support students.

Principal Dr. Steve Hankins said he was shocked to learn of Dr. Miles’ retirement and he is still processing it. The same year Dr. Hankins became head principal, Dr. Miles became superintendent. Under the stress of a new job, Dr. Hankins said he still received newfound support from Dr. Miles.

“You couldn’t find a better person, especially one who cares about people, students and staff and is willing to do anything for them,” Dr. Hankins said. “Even with the high expectations, he took the time out to tell me, ‘if there’s anything you need, I’m here for you.’ That told me what kind of a guy was.”

Dr. Hankins said Dr. Miles demonstrated a strong dedication to the district and gave his role everything he had to make RSD a better place for all.

BOE President Jaime Bayes said Dr. Miles led the district through challenging circumstances with grace, compassion and dignity. 

Bayes credits him for making RSD, the second largest school district in the state, one of the first to reopen schools five days a week, allowing students to participate in after-school activities and establishing an internal data tracking system, a model used nationwide for COVID-19 safety.

“He did an excellent job of listening to everyone, gathering the most important information and considering the safety and social emotional health of students,” Bayes said.

Bayes said the BOE is considering the details of hiring for an interim position and will work through this process in a meeting by the end of next week. 

“We will definitely be looking for an equally kind, compassionate person who can lead us through the rest of the pandemic and unify our district as we return to some type of normalcy,” Bayes said.