Superintendent Search

Process for Selecting a Permanent Superintendent

The Sioux City Community School District is conducting a nationwide search for a new superintendent to lead the District when Interim Superintendent Dr. Rod Earleywine’s contract expires at the end of the 2022-23 school year.

Our Ideal Candidate

As we live our mission of “educating students to believe in their talents and skills, achieve academic excellence, and succeed in reaching their full potential,” the Sioux City Community School District seeks a mission-driven, collaborative leader committed to achieving student-driven results.

Our District seeks a Superintendent who possesses the following leadership traits:

  • Is a Trusted Leader who values ethics and integrity, by practicing moral authority

  • Leads by example through honest practices

  • Is an effective communicator, creating strong school and community relations

  • Is accountable and responsible for actions

  • Empowers others by promoting team strengths and students first approach

  • Shows transparency by sharing the organization’s goals and challenges to promote staff engagement

  • Builds strong diverse teams and promotes teamwork for the success of all

  • Maintains a positive/optimistic outlook

Superintendent Job Application
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Search Firm

The recruitment and selection process will be developed by executive search firm GR Recruiting and presented to the board for approval in early 2022. The SCCSD Board of Directors approved the executive search firm at its March 28 meeting. View the March 28 agenda packet.

Community Involvement & Engagement

The community’s voice will be critical in helping define the leadership characteristics, qualities, and qualifications of the Sioux City Community School District’s next superintendent. Parents, staff, students, and community members will be deeply involved in the process.

Updates regarding community engagement, as well as other aspects of the hiring process, will be shared on this webpage and through other methods of communication including email, newsletters, and social media.

Input Sessions

During 90-minute input sessions, attendees were asked to provide input on the leadership qualities, communication strategies, and management traits most important in a new superintendent. Feedback gathered during the sessions is being used to identify the right candidates for the superintendent position as part of the nationwide search process.

In addition to the input sessions, staff, families, and the community were encouraged to provide feedback on a superintendent search survey. The survey closed on Friday, October 14, 2022.

View results of the superintendent search survey.

Community Input Opportunities & Search Timeline

  • September 27: Initial planning meeting with the board of directors

  • October 3: GR Recruiting notifies all associates and other professional contacts of the vacancy

  • October 3: Open online survey (for input on developing the job description). Survey available on the District website from Oct. 3-Oct. 14

  • October 11: Input session at East High School Media Center (3200 S. Cypress St. Sioux City, IA 51106)

    • 4:00 pm: District staff only

    • 6:00 pm: Open to the public

  • October 13: Input session at West High School Media Center (2001 Casselman St. Sioux City, IA 51103)

    • 4:00 pm: District staff only

    • 6:00 pm: Open to the public

  • October 14: 10:00 am deadline for survey input from constituents, stakeholders, and board members

  • October 15: Input session at North High School Media Center (4200 Cheyenne Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51104)

    • 8:30 am: District staff only

    • 10:30 am: Open to the public

  • October 20: 6:00 pm board meeting to finalize the superintendent job description

  • December 12: Application deadline

  • December 12-22: Paper screening of applicants and reference checks

  • January 5: GR Recruiting meets with the board in a closed session to discuss candidates who will be interviewed

    • The board also finalizes 1st round of board interview questions

    • Consultants meet with interview teams to prepare questions and review procedures

  • January 11-12: 1st round interviews take place in a closed session meeting via Zoom

  • January 12: Closed session board meeting with GR Consulting following the last interview (Time: TBD)

  • January 19: Final superintendent candidates announced

  • January 25: Finalist (2nd round) interviews take place. Separate community input sessions will be held at North High School for each candidate. The public is invited to submit their questions for the candidates at the in-person community forums. Or, the public may listen in by logging on using the links below. (Please note: Online listeners will not be able to submit questions.)

  • Late January - Early February: Closed session board meeting with GR Consulting to determine finalist

  • TBD: Consultants will discuss contract terms with the finalist

  • TBD: Contract offered

  • TBD: GR recruiting finalizes the entry plan and provides ongoing support options for the board and new superintendent

  • July 1, 2023:  Permanent superintendent’s first day