Superintendent Search

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Search

The Seattle School Board is searching for the next Superintendent for Seattle Public Schools (SPS).

This page will be used to share the Board’s process for selecting the next Superintendent including information for candidates, engagement opportunities for the SPS community, and updates on the selection process.

Information for Candidates

The School Board has retained the executive search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) to support with this Superintendent hiring process.

The application for the Seattle Public Schools Superintendent position is posted to the HYA website, and application materials will be accepted through HYA.

The SPS Superintendent is responsible for the administration and management of a large and complex public educational system serving 49,000 students at 104 schools, with a total budget exceeding $1.85 billion.

The next Superintendent will be responsible for the District’s next strategic plan and achieving the District’s goals for student outcomes and adhering to the District’s guardrails, as established by the School Board to represent the community’s vision and values. See Board Policy Nos. 0020 Goals for the District and 0025 Guardrails for the District.

During the search process, the Seattle School Board will engage community members to develop a leadership profile for the Superintendent position aligned with community priorities.

As provided by state law, the Seattle School Board will select the next Superintendent and contract for a term not to exceed three years. State law assigns the School Board responsibility for hiring and deciding on contract renewals for the Superintendent.

Seattle Public Schools, the largest K-12 school system in Washington state, has a deep commitment to every student’s journey—to ensure that each student will graduate ready for college, career and life. Read more about Seattle Public Schools.

Anticipated Timeline

The Superintendent search process began in March with the announcement of the upcoming Superintendent vacancy. After issuing a request for proposals, the School Board retained the executive search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) to support next steps, which will include engagement, recruitment, review of the candidates, and ultimately the selection and announcement of the next district Superintendent.

March 17: Dr. Jones announces transition from role as SPS Superintendent.

March 25: School Board authorizes request for proposals for executive search firm to assist with the Superintendent search process.

March 26: Request for proposals issued for executive search firm.

Search Process Launches

March 2025

Announcement of upcoming Superintendent transition and start of search process.

April 9: School Board evaluates search firm proposals.

April 18: School Board interviews search firm finalists.

April 23: Board completes evaluation of search firm proposals, and authorizes contract with HYA.

Search Firm Selected

April 2025

Board selects the executive search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) to assist with Superintendent search.

April 24 and April 30: Board begins soliciting community input into search process during Board Engagement events.

May 13: School Board meets with HYA to plan for the search process and finalize timeline.

May 14: School Board announces Superintendent search process and timeline through Board website.

Process Planning

April-May 2025

Board conducts initial engagement, begins work with search firm, and announces search process timeline.

Engagement: School Board launches community engagement to gather input into priorities for the next Superintendent through a translated survey, interviews, focus groups, and forums with students, their families, staff, labor partners, and the broader community.

District Leadership Profile: Board and HYA review community feedback to develop a District Leadership Profile Report to support the selection of the next Superintendent.

Engagement

Spring 2025

Board conducts engagement through multiple means to develop a leadership profile reflective of community priorities.

Recruitment: Seattle Schools Superintendent position is posted to HYA website and widely shared.

Application Period: Applications accepted for Seattle Schools Superintendent.

Recruitment

Spring 2025

Local, regional, and national recruitment for the district’s next Superintendent.

Recruitment: Seattle Schools Superintendent position is posted to HYA website and widely shared.

Application Period: Applications accepted for Seattle Schools Superintendent.

Selection Process: Board reviews initial slate of candidates, conducts interviews, identifies finalists, and moves into further candidate-vetting.

Appointment: Board selects and announces Superintendent to begin serving for the 2025-26 school year.

Superintendent Selection

Summer 2025

Application review, interviews, finalist selection, vetting, and appointment of next Superintendent.

Leadership Transition: Appointed Superintendent is welcomed to Seattle Public Schools with transition support from Board and staff.

Fall 2025: Next Superintendent begins serving.

Superintendent Transition

Summer / Fall 2025

Selected Superintendent is welcomed to Seattle Public Schools and begins leading for the fall of 2025.

Leadership Transition: Appointed Superintendent is welcomed to Seattle Public Schools with transition support from Board and staff.

Fall 2025: Next Superintendent begins serving.

Community Engagement Opportunities

The School Board is planning engagement opportunities to inform the Board’s consideration of candidates and selection of the next district Superintendent.

Engagement will be conducted online and in-person and in both small and larger group settings. These opportunities to provide feedback will be shared this spring.

More details will be announced this spring.