Rockbridge County High School will see a change in leadership at the start of 2026, as longtime principal Mike Craft prepares to retire and assistant principal Shaun Sparks gets ready to step into the role.
The Rockbridge County School Board approved Sparks’ appointment during its regular meeting on April 8, after accepting Craft’s resignation at the end of last December. He will begin transitioning into the role this fall and assume full principal duties on Jan. 1, 2026.
Sparks is already a familiar presence at RCHS, having served as assistant principal for the past two years.
SPARKS
“Mr. Sparks’ leadership, experience, and deep understanding of our school community will continue to move Rockbridge County High School forward,” said Superintendent Dr. Phillip Thompson in a press release. “We are excited about the future of RCHS under his guidance.”
Before joining Rockbridge County Public Schools, Sparks worked in several Virginia school divisions, taking on roles that included high school teacher, director of school counselors, assistant principal, director of Career and Technical Education, CTE Center principal, and supervisor of student services.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Radford University, a master’s in school counseling from Liberty University, and an Educational Leadership endorsement from James Madison University.
When reached for comment, Sparks expressed enthusiasm about the school and his new position.
“The Rockbridge community is a wonderful place to work and live,” he said in an email. “There are a variety of goals that will be important, but I would like to focus on fostering an environment that supports growth and development, while making a positive impact on students’ lives.”
As for the transition period, Sparks emphasized a collaborative approach.
“Dr. Craft has been a tremendous leader for RCHS,” he said. “We will continue to work together during the transition period to support the students and staff.”
Craft, who has led the high school since 2017, will remain principal through the end of the 2025 calendar year. Dr. Thompson praised Craft’s tenure during the board meeting, describing it as a time of strong leadership and meaningful progress. More on Craft’s legacy can be found in the accompanying story.
