Superintendent Richard Rhodes. Photo by Catherine Stachowiak
Superintendent of South Fork Union School District, Richard Rhodes was a speaker at a Newport Beach conference; the 5 days long Small Schools Conference, July 22.
The workshop Rhodes taught was for new superintendents in the field. Rhodes titled his course, “What did 25 years in the small schools as superintendent teach me?”
What is so unique about Rhodes teaching such an event is the fact that less than a month ago he was confined to a wheelchair. He is currently training for a split triathlon at age 58 after being in a wheelchair. He said, “What happened was I lost my leg February 2023. And then in January they told me I had so much bone growth on it, I was trying to grow a foot. So I had a revision amputation May 31st. So I’m back now after six weeks.”
The Small School District Association of California has a leadership symposium in Newport Beach for new superintendents, veteran superintendents, and high school principal leaders in small school districts generally under 2500 students.
“My goal was to be ready by July 22 to be able to present at that conference. As you know I was in a wheelchair just three or four weeks ago,” said Rhodes. “I went through eight surgeries over five years. I didn’t walk for two years. I had a surgery every six months for two years.”
As Rhodes gave the Kern Valley Sun a speedy walking tour of South Fork campuses, he told the press that he begins and ends his days in a wheelchair, because he wears a prosthetic leg during the day when he walks.
