Rio Rancho Public Schools names new superintendent

RIO RANCHO — Wednesday's Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education meeting was not for dry eyes.

Board members and administrators got choked up as the five-member board voted unanimously to make Robert "Robby" Dodd the next superintendent of RRPS. Dodd, an administrator for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, is only the second superintendent in RRPS' history, succeeding Sue Cleveland, who founded the district in 1994. 

Dodd spoke to the board and Cleveland following their remarks praising him as the right choice for the job. His first day is March 1.

"Dr. Cleveland, I'm emotional, too," Dodd said. "This is a big night for me."

He thanked the board for their trust and the community for their warmth throughout the search process, which included meetings with stakeholders and the public. Dodd was one of three finalists, including Heather Sanchez, chief executive officer of Bellevue (Washington) School District, and Todd Resch, executive director of athletics for RRPS.

In his remarks following his selection, Dodd echoed what he told the community about his priorities as superintendent: "Honoring the past, building the present and inventing the future."

Later, he said his goal is to make sure RRPS has the trust of families, educators who are eager to serve and students who are proud to participate in learning and prepared for graduation.

"Together, we can invent a future where Rio Rancho can be looked to as a national model for public education," Dodd said.

He thanked Cleveland, whom he called a legend, and promised a "smooth and seamless transition." He will visit Rio Rancho in January and February to both settle in the community and participate in orientation, according to board member and Secretary Jessica Tyler.

Dodd also thanked his parents, who were both educators — and he got emotional when referring to them in remarks.

"They taught me the values of public service, hard work and giving back," Dodd said.