Since Rockwood Superintendent Craig Larson announced his plans to retire, finding a replacement has been a priority for the district. In September of 2009, a nationwide search for someone to fill Larson’s shoes began.

The selection committee narrowed down the 42 applicants to five semifinalists and from there to two finalists.

On Feb. 8, Dr. Bruce Borchers was announced to be the single finalist for the position.

With a 7-0 Vote by the Board of Education, Borchers has been hired to the Rockwood School District with a three-year contract.

Borchers brings a wealth of experience to the job.

Since 2008, Dr. Borchers has served as associate superintendent for secondary schools for the 40,500-student Anoka-Hennepin School District in Coon Rapids, MN.

Before that, he was the Principal and Assistant Principal at Mankato West High School in Minnesota, temporary Assistant Principal and counselor at South East Jr. High in Iowa and an elementary Physical Education teacher for Sioux City community schools.

He received a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, master’s degrees from Wayne State College and the University of South Dakota and a bachelor’s degree from Morningside College.