Rock Hill school superintendent race narrows to finalists from Fort Mill and Charlotte

The search for a Rock Hill School District superintendent is down to two finalists, and one is a long-time Fort Mill schools administrator.

The Rock Hill School District announced the remaining candidates are Fort Mill School District assistant superintendent Tommy Schmolze and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools deputy superintendent Matthew Hayes.

According to district release, additional interviews with the two candidates began Tuesday morning in executive session.

Schmolze has almost three decades of education experience in York County schools. He’s been a teacher and administrator, and in recent years has been involved with the opening of numerous new schools in Fort Mill amid rapid population growth. Schmolze is a past superintendent finalist in Rock Hill and Clover.

Hayes has a long and varied career in Charlotte schools, including at Olympic High School in the Steele Creek area. He has middle and high school principal experience, and served as learning community superintendent who led multiple district schools.

According to the release, interim superintendent John Jones will return to his role of chief academic and accountability officer.

“I stand to fully support the board of trustees as they seek the right leader to serve as the next superintendent and will work to make the transition as smooth and successful as possible,” he said in the release.

The new superintendent pick will replace Bill Cook who resigned earlier this school year.