The Board of Education is pleased to partner with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), a national consulting firm, in the search for the next superintendent for the Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437. The Board plans to select a permanent superintendent by mid-March 2026.

Please return to this page often for updates, information, and progress in the search for our next superintendent.

Day in the District | March 11, 2026

Each of the three finalists will participate in a "Day in the District" experience on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The day will include meetings with building principals, district administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, students, and community members. The following opportunities are available to employees, parents, and the broader community:

Auburn-Washburn Employee Forum
Washburn Rural North Middle School
4:30–6:00 PM

Parent and Community Forum
Indian Hills Elementary School
6:30–8:00 PM

Attendees will have the opportunity to share feedback with the Board of Education through an online submission form following the forums.

Final interviews with each candidate will take place on Thursday, March 12. The new superintendent is expected to begin serving Auburn-Washburn on July 1, 2026.

Leadership Profile Report

This report presents the findings of the Leadership Profile Assessment conducted by executive search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) during December 2025 and January 2026 for the new superintendent of the Auburn-Washburn Unified School District. The data contained herein was obtained from the input the HYA consultants received when they met with individuals and groups in either individual interviews or focus group settings. In addition, the District conducted an online survey completed by stakeholders in October 2025.

HYA and the Board intend to meet the challenge of finding an individual who possesses the skills and character traits required to meet the district's needs. The search team will focus its recruitment on candidates who possess leadership qualities congruent with the profile.

Timeline

January 12-13-14, 2026: Staff and community focus groups
February 16, 2026: Slate of candidates presented to the Board
February 28, 2026: First round interviews (closed and confidential)
March 11, 2026: Finalists day in the district
March 12, 2026: Board conducts final interviews
Mid-March, 2026: Superintendent's hiring approved and announced
July 1, 2026: Superintendent contract formally begins

Contact

For questions about this search process or to express interest, please contact Chelsea Clark, Executive Director of Human Resources, at clarkche@usd437.net or (785) 339-4036.