EAST PALESTINE — Former East Palestine City Schools administrator James Rook will return to the district as superintendent, the board of education announced on Monday.

“It is with great optimism that we welcome Mr. Rook back to our Bulldog community,” said Jen Andre, East Palestine school board president. “We have full confidence in his leadership abilities, vision for the future, and dedication to continuing our pursuit of excellence among our students and staff.”

Rook has previously filled roles within the district as principal at both the middle school and high school levels, holding those positions from 2015 to 2021.

Rook, a graduate of both the University of Akron and Youngstown State University with a Master of Science in Educational Administration and state licensure in superintendency, most recently served as Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction with the Trumbull County ESC.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to return to a leadership role within these schools,” Rook said. “While much has changed in the past three years, the caring people who comprise this community remain steadfast, and it is the people who make East Palestine such a special place for me.”

Rook will replace Chris Neifer as the East Palestine superintendent. Neifer was hired by Boardman last month to fill the vacany that Tim Saxton will leave when he retires as superintendent on July 31. Neifer, who spent nearly a decade in East Palestine where he moved up in the ranks from elementary principal to high school principal (a position he took over in 2015) to superintendent (the office he has filled since 2018), announced his resignation days after his hiring at Boardman

“I want to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate Mr. Neifer. He has played an immense role in my development as an educational leader,” Rook said. “We were all very fortunate to have him as a member of the East Palestine Schools. I also want to express my gratitude to the board of education for granting me this wonderful opportunity to rejoin this outstanding school district once more.”

Rook also expressed gratitude to his wife for making the opportunity to return to East Palestine possible.

“I also want to thank my wife, Julie, for her constant support and understanding of my desire and passion to come back and lead this school district,” he said. “She has always recognized my passion for these schools, and I look forward to making that passion shine through my future work.”

Rook will step into the superintendent shoes when Neifer’s resignation becomes effective July 31.

East Palestine City Schools said the search for Neifer’s replacement included “extensive interviews with qualified candidates” but that the school board decided Rook “fully aligned with both the strategic direction and goals that have been set forth for the district.”

selverd@mojonews.com