Is it possible to leave home and return home at the same time?

It is for Rob Moorhead.

After 25 years, South Dearborn schools became his home. Eleven years as a teacher and coach. Five years as assistant principal. Nine years as principal.

It is special because it is his home, said Moorhead.

His family also has strong ties to the district. His father, William “Gus” Moorhead, work there for 17 years as a coach and teacher, then serving as a principal for 23 years. His mother, Mary Margaret Moorhead, was an English/journalism teacher for 38 years. His sister, Jane Rogers, was an assistant principal for the school district.

“It’s certainly exciting to come back ... but it’s incredibly hard to leave.... I feel like South Dearborn became my home over the last 25 years,” said Moorhead.

In 2010 Moorhead was named Indiana Association of School Principals High School Principal of the Year.

Among his achievements listed were co-founder of the Dearborn County Alternative to Suspension Program, Scholarship Chairman for the Aurora Lions, team captain of the SDHS Relay for Life Team, festival master of ceremonies, past Little League coach, and a past president of the Hanover College Alumni Board of Directors.

If his schedule allows, he will still try to be a part of the Aurora community, but is committed to become part of the South Ripley and Versailles community, said Moorhead.

In the addition to the many co-workers and friends he will leave behind at South Dearborn, his wife, Lisa, will remain at the high school as the director of guidance and he has a son entering his junior year at SDHS, he said.

Connection with students
When ask to list some of his own greatest achievements at South Dearborn, however, his answers remain focused on the students.

He is proud of students achievements including test scores, SAT/ACT scores and graduation rates. He also is proud of how everyone at SDHS has worked together to create a family atmosphere of support, said Moorhead.

He leaves the school in good hands with his former assistant principal, Jason Cheek, who will serve as interim principal.

Moorhead also stresses that he gave South Dearborn as much notice as possible about his departure.

The district was notified Monday, July 9, he would be taking the job of superintendent.

But due to new state laws that started July 1, there were legal advertisement and other deadlines that had to be met before he could be officially named the superintendent at South Ripley, which happened Monday night, July 30, said Moorhead.

South Ripley had to start looking for a new superintendent when John Mehrle was hired in May to become the new superintendent at South Dearborn schools, replacing the retiring Tom Book. Merhle was a teacher at SDHS for seven years.

Moorhead was interested in the South Dearborn job, completing the coursework for his superintendent license last year.

“When one door closes, another one opens. I am pleased with the way it has worked out,” said Moorhead, wishing Merhle and everyone at South Dearborn the best.

“South Ripley is a district on the move. ... It’s an exciting time for me,” he said.

South Ripley has had some of the best growth in the area on ISTEP+ scores, said Moorhead.

The most difficult part of becoming a superintendent will be staying in touch with the students.