At the Jan. 14 Sandy Creek School Board meeting, board members unanimously approved hiring Rod Foley as superintendent for the 202627 and 2027-28 school years.
During college, Foley said he worked part-time at Blockbuster Video and eventually became the store manager.
Although the position paid more than a teaching position, it didn’t “fill my bucket, and I knew that education was the right path for me,” he said. So he went back to college, earning his degree and started his first teaching position.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Kansas in 1995; earned his Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri—Kansas City in 2001; and earned his Specialist degree in Educational Administration and Superintendent certification from Doane University in 2015.
His first position was as a social studies teacher at Maple Park Middle School in Kansas City, Mo., from 1996 to 2001.
In 2001, he was hired as the assistant principal at Walnut Middle School. In 2008, he was hired as the principal, a position he’s held since.
When interviewing for the superintendent position at Sandy Creek, Foley said he was impressed with the school district.
“Some amazing things happen for students in our district and I cannot wait to learn more about the programming and opportunities we provide, and then work with staff to enhance those,” he said. “The more I learn from students, staff, and the community, the better vision we can create to further academic achievement and enhance the opportunities in athletics and activities that lie ahead in our district.”
Foley and his wife, Kimberly, have three adult children, the youngest of which is in college and plays baseball. This means the family is used to chasing baseball games and sitting in the cold to support him.
As he and his wife attended the University of Kansas, they are big Jayhawks, KC Royals, and KC Chiefs fans. They have also grown to love the Huskers, too.
“We have received such a warm welcome from the Sandy Creek community since the announcement,” Foley said. “I am so excited to be joining such a passionate and welcoming school community.”
