On May 20, the Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved by a 6-0 vote Superintendent Bruce Gearing’s recommendation of Steve Novickas as the next principal of Rooster Springs Elementary.
Novickas is currently in his second year as an assistant principal at Sycamore Springs Middle School. Previously, he served as the assistant principal of two elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District in the Denver, Colorado area.
Novickas was the AP of Highline Elementary, which is a Title 1 school, for the 2016-17 school year after two years as the AP at Pine Ridge Elementary. He also served as interim principal in the Cherry Creek district on three occasions. Novickas taught for seven years at both Pine Ridge and Buffalo Trail Elementary in that district before moving into an administrative role.
“Mr. Novickas is a positive and relational leader who is committed to the students of Dripping Springs ISD,” said Gearing in a statement. “Throughout his administrative career, he has served with three seasoned school leaders, including former RSE principal Diane Bernero (in Cherry Creek), and has been involved in building a strong campus and community culture at three brand new schools.”
Novickas received his bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in Physical Education from Illinois State University in 2006. He then earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Regis University in 2013.
Novickas will start his duties following the conclusion of this school year.
The recommendation follows an extensive process for reviewing and interviewing candidates, which included participation from faculty and parent representatives. Two rounds of interviews were held, which included a written exercise and tour in addition to the committee interview.
