When George Holland left the superintendency of the Rockingham County Schools near the end of 1872, Rev. Joseph S. Loose, who had been principal at Harrisonburg, was appointed to take his place.

Reverend Loose was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania on March 17, 1821 and graduated from Mercersburg, Pennsylvania Theological Seminary where he graduated in 1848. He became a successful educator, founding the Cumberland Valley School in Pennsylvania. In 1870 he moved to Harrisonburg where he was appointed principal at Harrisonburg. He was appointed to be the Superintendent of Rockingham County Schools in January of 1873. According to the State Superintendent's Reports filed by Rev. Loose, he had a deep concern for the upgrading of the qualifications of teachers, and spoke very critically of the need for normal schools provided by the state, stating that" we can never arrive at a high standard until the state furnishes normal schools, and this elevates the dignity of the profession." (State Superintendent's Report-1872-73). He also reported "a gradual improvement of sentiment toward public schools."

When his term expired in 1875, Rev. Loose was not reappointed. He then moved to a farm near Dayton, Virginia and was a successful farmer for a number of years. Later he moved to Bridgewater where he was made cashier of the Farmer's Bank, a position he held until he was forced to resign due to ill health. Rev. Loose died at Bridgewater of April 10, 1894 at the age of 73.

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