Mark Patrick retires as NC School for the Deaf director

After 16 years of service to the North Carolina School for the Deaf, Mark Patrick has decided it is time to close one chapter and open another.

The NCSD director has announced his retirement, effective Feb. 1, 2025.

Patrick’s decision to retire comes as NCSD continues to adjust to governance changes introduced under House Bill 11 in 2023 and more recently in Senate Bill 382, which established an independent Board of Trustees.

While these changes were designed to grant the school greater autonomy, they have presented challenges that Patrick cited as factors in his decision to step down.

“My decision to take early retirement is driven by ethical concerns regarding specific actions and decisions made by the Board that exceed the scope of their governance role,” Patrick wrote in his retirement letter to the school’s Board of Trustees. “I hope that my departure will prompt a reevaluation of the Board’s role and lead to a more appropriate and effective governance structure for the future.”

His decision marks the end of a tenure that included five years as its director, during which he led NCSD through transformative changes that strengthened its foundation and advanced its mission.

“It has been my honor to serve the NC School for the Deaf,” Patrick wrote in a letter to students, parents, employees, and stakeholders. “My hope is that NCSD will continue to prosper, with all decisions remaining student-centered, as a positive, student-centered culture is critical for continued successes to occur.”

Patrick took on the director role in 2020 during a time of great need at NCSD, shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite that rocky start, Patrick led the school to achieve full accreditation through 2027, a milestone that demonstrated the school’s adherence to high academic and institutional standards.

This achievement was part of a broader effort to elevate the school’s performance and reputation, including addressing years of federal and state non-compliance through the successful completion of the Exceptional Children’s Corrective Action Plan.

These improvements ensured students with disabilities received the quality education and services they deserved.

Patrick also oversaw extensive facilities upgrades that modernized the campus and enhanced the learning environment.

Projects included relocating the Student Health Center to improve accessibility, upgrading fire alarm systems, installing eco-friendly bottle-filling stations, and replacing outdated flooring and HVAC systems.

Campus-wide beautification efforts further contributed to a more welcoming and positive atmosphere for students and staff.

A comprehensive admissions process, developed during Patrick’s tenure, streamlined the school’s approach to identifying and enrolling students from its 46-county service area.

The system created a more equitable and consistent admissions framework, stabilizing enrollment and improving outreach to families and stakeholders.

Patrick’s tenure saw a collaborative effort to elevate NCSD’s standards and culture.

Working alongside dedicated staff and administrators like Shirley Fore, Drew Pollard, Hannah Digh, and many others, Patrick championed initiatives that improved student outcomes, modernized the campus, and expanded programming.

His collaboration with community leaders, alumni, the Department of Public Instruction, and legislators helped continue the school’s success and advocacy.

“Mark’s arrival to NCSD in 2020 signaled a renewed energy and spirit of cooperation,” said Kevin Baxter, vice chancellor and chief campus officer at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. “His absence will be felt throughout our educational ecosystem, and his impact will reverberate for years to come.”

Representative Hugh Blackwell, who collaborated with Patrick on matters involving NCSD, added, “Mark brought energy and passion to his job. I believe he will be very hard to replace. I certainly wish him the very best and appreciate the positive contributions he made to the school.”

This story is part of an ongoing series looking into the North Carolina School for the Deaf and the impact of its new governing structure on school staff and operations.