Anthony S. Rossetti

It was a hard decision, but after four years of serving as the principal at Columbian Elementary School, Anthony Rossetti will soon try his hand at directing an entire school district.

Rossetti announced officially Tuesday that he had accepted the position of superintendent of the Miller R-2 School District.

The district, located in northern Lawrence County, has approximately 600 students.

"It's a small community," he said."I can still be in contact with the kids and still be student centered.

"[But] I will miss the kids and staff here."

Rossetti will assume the position July 1.He plans to stay in Carthage through the completion of summer school.

Rossetti, who will complete his doctorate in education in May, said he is looking forward to working in a district that is similar in size to Columbian.

As principal in Carthage, Rossetti has directed a staff of 75 and worked with a student population of 559.

Rossetti moved to rural Carthage four years ago after serving as a sixth grade instructor at Willard for six years.

A Canton, Ohio native, Rossetti moved to the Springfield area in 1993 to complete his teaching certification at Southwest Missouri State University.

His ties to Lawrence County date back to 1983, when he began attending the Mickey Owen Baseball School, located near Miller, as a student.

"This is bittersweet," explained Rossetti."It's taken four years to build up what we have here."

He said one of his first tasks will be to build a positive relationship between himself, the staff, community, parents and students.

He also hopes to create "a shared vision of where the school district" will go in the future.

"It's tough because what we've got going here is wonderful," he said."The real test in leadership will be after [you] leave, and whether or not they can carry on without you."

Rossetti will follow John Garton, a retired administrator, who has been serving as Miller's part-time superintendent this year.
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For now, Rossetti and his family plan to continue to reside in rural Carthage as the commute will take approximately 35 minutes.

He and his wife, Christa, have two children Gage, 4, and Paiton, 2.

He began to explore the doctoral program and possible superintendency positions at the urging of Superintendent Gary Reed.

"He [has been] a good motivator and great mentor for me," Rossetti continued.
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It was a hard decision, but after four years of serving as the principal at Columbian Elementary School, Anthony Rossetti will soon try his hand at directing an entire school district.

Columbian Principal Anthony S. Rossetti was busy in the hallways this morning, keeping an eye on everything from traffic flow to classroom capacity as he works to balance a building that will be again filled to capacity.

Tonight's Carthage Press article by Kaylea Hutson indicates Anthony Rossetti, currently principal at Columbian Elementary School in Carthage will be the new superintendent.