Dr. Rick Bolling Starting Here In January
Students might catch Rockbridge County’s newest school superintendent jogging through downtown Lexington or on local historic college campuses when he takes the reins at Rockbridge County Public Schools this January.
Dr. Rick Bolling is an avid runner who has competed in several half-marathons. The father of two is equally well-versed in running Virginia school divisions: He’s already served as superintendent for both Clarke and Bath county schools.
The Rockbridge County School Board unanimously voted to select Bolling for the division’s highest position in a specially called meeting last Tuesday. Bolling will take the baton from Superintendent Phillip Thompson, who has been in the position for nearly a decade and is retiring at the end of this year.
“Dr. Bolling brings a great deal of experience to the position, and I have no doubt that he will bring strong ideas, a positive leadership style, and his own unique perspective to RCPS,” Thompson told The News-Gazette. “I am confident that he will build on the good work already underway while continuing to challenge the division to grow, improve, and reach new heights.”
Bolling has served as superintendent of Clarke County schools in Northern Virginia since 2024. Before that, he was the superintendent of Bath County schools for two years starting in 2022.
Bolling told the Board last week that he and his family love Rockbridge County and that when the position came up, he jumped at the chance to move to the area.
“I've long admired Rockbridge County and spent a lot of time here,” Bolling said. “We have a lot to be proud of, its natural beauty, its rich history, outstanding local higher education institutions, industry, and proximity to major highways. Rockbridge is a special place.”
Proximity to his family was also a big factor in Bolling’s decision to join the division. His son is studying architecture at the University of Virginia and his daughter attends Jackson River Governor’s School in Clifton Forge. His wife works as a nurse at UVA.
"Rockbridge County is in close proximity to all three (family members), providing an opportunity for our family to be together more often while allowing each of us to continue pursuing the opportunities that are important to us,” Bolling wrote in his resignation letter to Clarke County.
The incoming superintendent is a native of Wise County, where he spent more than 26 years in education, working his way up from being a teacher to a principal. He earned a Bachelor of Science in math from UVA’s College of Wise, a master’s in education and counseling from Lincoln Memorial University, a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of the Cumberlands, and an educational specialist degree in administration and supervision from the University of Virginia.
Bolling gave a short speech to the Board members after they approved his hiring and said he plans to do a lot of listening and getting to know people early in his tenure and that he wants to know what is working and what challenges the division is facing.
“I think that culture and climate can change a school and lead to higher student learning, not the other way around,” Bolling said. “So, I expect to invest in those first two things as well as your climate first.”
Thompson said this week that he and Bolling are already working together on the transition and the incoming superintendent will visit in the next few weeks.
Lexington City Public Schools Superintendent Rebecca Walters told The News-Gazette last week that she had a chance to work with Bolling when he was superintendent in Bath County as part of their Region 5 superintendents group, and she’s also spent time with him at statewide conferences and other meetings and work groups.
“I have been impressed by Dr. Bolling's work supporting his school divisions in achieving strong student academic growth under his leadership,” Walters said. “Both Bath County and Clarke County have experienced some great gains in student achievement during his tenure. I have found him to be passionate about students and his school community, personable, and collaborative.”
Board Chair Kathy Burant said at last week’s meeting that of the 15 candidates who applied for the position, six were selected to continue in the interview process. When it came down to a final selection, Burant said Bolling stood out.
“Any one of the six could do the job and probably be successful, but we were really impressed with Dr. Bolling and know his depth of knowledge, his breadth of knowledge of education, his areas of expertise and his experience,” Burant said.
Burant said the Board was equally impressed with the ease of discussing ideas with Bolling and that they look forward to where the division is going.
“We know change isn't easy,” Burant said. “But we feel like having a proven changemaker with the ability to unite folks along the who really will bring about positive results here.”
