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The Daily Tar Heel

Superintendent of Orange County Schools to retire

After 30 years of service in North Carolina education, Orange County Schools Superintendent Patrick Rhodes has decided to retire on June 30.

“I’ve decided to retire because I have 30 plus years in the state of North Carolina, and I’ve been very blessed to have these wonderful experiences,” Rhodes said. “I’m now ready to try other career choices.”

During his time with public schools in North Carolina, Rhodes has worked in the Durham Public Schools district, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools.

He has served as a science teacher, a basketball coach, a principal and, for the last five years, a superintendent.

Rhodes said he has had several accomplishments during his time with the school system, including increasing student achievement levels, improving high school graduation rates and managing state budget cuts without negatively impacting the classroom.

“I think he’s done a lot for the school district,” said Orange County Schools Board of Education Chairwoman Donna Coffey.

“He’s made great progress in closing the achievement gap, expanding our pre-K programs under his tenure and improving high school graduation rates.”

His colleagues, like board member Brenda Stephens, praised his passion for education and his dedication to the school district.

“Under his leadership the schools made significant advances. He’s accomplished quite a bit since he’s been with Orange County Schools,” Stephens said.

“I think he’s a fantastic individual and I’m certainly going to miss him.”

That sentiment is echoed in the neighboring school district.

Tom Forcella, superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, said Rhodes kept a healthy relationship between the two districts.

“As a new superintendent, he reached out to me when I arrived two years ago and always made himself available for questions I might have regarding North Carolina public education,” Forcella said.

Rhodes said he has no plans at the moment to stay involved in Orange County Schools and wants to pursue other interests.

“We have grandchildren in Chapel Hill, and I’d like to spend more time with them and do more agricultural projects at the family farm in Virginia,” he said.

Coffey said the Board of Education does not yet have a replacement for Rhodes in mind.

At its meeting on Monday, the board discussed superintendent search services provided by the North Carolina School Boards Association.

“I sincerely appreciate the many professional opportunities Orange County has given me as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and superintendent,” Rhodes said in a statement to his staff.

“There is no better place to work, learn and grow as a person, and my experiences here have truly been a blessing.”

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.

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