NCSD Director Mark Patrick retires effective Feb. 1

Mark Patrick, director of the North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD), has announced his retirement, effective Feb. 1, 2025. Patrick served NCSD for 16 years as an educator, an exceptional children’s coordinator, and finally as the school's director.

He shared his decision in a letter addressed to students, parents, employees, and stakeholders at 2 p.m. today.

During his tenure, Patrick oversaw significant advancements, including the school achieving full accreditation, completing a corrective action plan for exceptional children services, supporting the academic department to achieve measurable growth in student assessments, and making significant action to renovate and upgrade the school's facilities and technology. He also played a key role in aiding the school's administrative transition to an independent board of trustees.

Patrick cited the transitional period following the establishment of the Board of Trustees as a factor in his decision to seek other leadership opportunities, expressing hope for NCSD’s continued growth and success.

Reflecting on his tenure Patrick said, “It has been my honor to serve the NC School for the Deaf—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.”

This is a developing story.