The Sioux City Community School District is conducting a nationwide search for a new superintendent beginning the 2026-2027 school year.
Sioux City Community School 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 a student-first approach
Shows transparency by sharing the organization’s goals and challenges to promote staff engagement
Builds strong diverse teams and promotes teamwork for success for all
Maintains a positive/optimistic outlook
Makes strategic decisions with a big-picture lens, while managing district resources
About the Sioux City Community School District:
The Sioux City Community School District, located in Sioux City, Iowa, exists to educate students to believe in their talents and skills, achieve academic excellence, and succeed in reaching their full potential. As the fourth largest school district in Iowa, Sioux City Community Schools includes nearly 14,000 remarkable students and 2,400 dedicated staff.
The District serves students in three high schools, three middle schools, 13 elementary schools, and an early childhood center plus a career academy for career and technical education. A majority-minority district, Sioux City Community Schools celebrates its diversity, welcoming students and staff from all cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, and beliefs. The District has 47 home languages and one of the highest percentages of ELL students among all Iowa school districts. Nearly 70% of the District’s students qualify for free and reduced meals every year. In recent years, the Sioux City Community School District has implemented specialty themed concepts in five of the District’s elementary schools and received national recognition for the implementation of bullying programs throughout its schools. Three of the District’s elementary schools are authorized International Baccalaureate World Schools.
The District prides itself on high student achievement while maintaining one of the lowest cost-per-student rates among urban Iowa schools. Approximately 81% of students district-wide are enrolled in advanced placement courses. The District’s four-year graduation rate is higher than 86%.
The Sioux City Community School District has been designated as one of only 100 Future Ready school districts across the country by the United States Department of Education and recognized as a District of Distinction for the implementation of its Sioux City Career Academy. The region’s most robust center of its kind, the Sioux City Career Academy currently serves students from schools in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota through more than 30 career and technical pathways.
In 2023, the Career Academy opened the doors on a new construction trades facility. As part of the pathway, students build two homes each year, gaining valuable hands on and industry-relevant experience.
With a focus on state-of-the-art facilities, the Sioux City Community School District has completed 19 building projects in recent years. The District is currently developing a comprehensive master facilities plan to guide its future for years to come.
The Sioux City Community School District continues to be one of the most fiscally healthy districts in the state. At the same time, the District is adapting to declining enrollment, the impact of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), and expenditure growth in areas such as special education and English Language Learners, all while maintaining long-term fiscal stability. The Sioux City Community School District collaborates with the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation, which seeks to enhance public education in Sioux City through community support and engagement.
About Sioux City, Iowa:
The Sioux City Community School District is located in Sioux City, Iowa, twice named an All-America City by the National Civic League and one of the top 10 most affordable U.S. cities to live by Market Watch. Part of Siouxland which includes the adjoining points of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, Sioux City serves as a regional hub for business, employment, industry, retail trade, medical care, and education. More than 169,000 residents call the Siouxland area home. With a diverse list of things to do and see, Siouxland residents enjoy the benefits of robust park and trail systems including Cone Park, an all-season recreational center, eclectic arts and entertainment options through the Sioux City Art Center and The Orpheum Theatre, a long list of historic landmarks, and premier annual community events including Artsplash and Saturday in the Park.
Requirements:
In addition to administrative experience, the candidate must have, or be qualified to obtain, certification as a Superintendent in Iowa. Inquiries concerning certification requirements can be directed to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners at 515-281-3245.
Familiarity with Iowa education laws and processes is preferred but not required.
Persons wishing to be considered for the position should submit an application online including:
A letter of application stating personal qualifications, experiences and reasons for interest in the position.
The online application and a current resume.
Three current letters of recommendation.
Candidates should not contact members of the Board of Directors.
All materials submitted as part of the superintendent application will remain confidential to the extent allowed by law. After all applications have been reviewed and preliminary interviews conducted, the names of the top candidates will be presented to the Board of Directors for its consideration. Selection of candidates for final interviews is the sole responsibility of the Board. All applications will be processed in accordance with the provisions of Iowa’s open meeting law (Chapter28A).
The salary will be in the range of $275,000-$310,000 plus an excellent comprehensive benefits package. The final salary for the successful candidate will be negotiated and determined based upon proven experience, qualifications, and meeting Board criteria.
APPLY AT: https://siouxcityschools.schoolspring.com/
Updates regarding community engagement, as well as other aspects of the hiring process, will be shared at https://www.siouxcityschools.org/o/sccs/page/superintendent-search and through other methods of communication including email, newsletters, and social media.