Superintendent Search
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.
This search starts with posting for the position and planning sessions with HYA. In the coming days and weeks, the group will work to connect with stakeholders and gather information from the community on what Auburn-Washburn is looking for in our next superintendent.
Please return to this page often for updates, information, and progress in the search for our next superintendent.
Focus Groups
Your input is needed! HYA will be hosting nearly 20 focus group sessions during the month of January. Please attend the appropriate focus group listed below as your feedback is important. Participants do not need to register – just show up and jump in. Some focus groups listed below are in person only, while others are virtual only.
| Date | Time | Group | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 12 | 8:00 AM | Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation | SEC |
| Jan. 12 | 9:00 AM | Parents and Community Members | SEC |
| Jan. 12 | Lunch | Student Group Luncheon | WRHS |
| Jan. 12 | 2:00 PM | Parents and Community Members | Virtual (Zoom) |
| Jan. 12 | 3:20 PM | Certified Staff (Secondary Schedule) | WRHS Library |
| Jan. 12 | 4:30 PM | AW-NEA Officers and Building Representatives | SEC |
| Jan. 13 | 7:30 AM | Any Staff (Certified or Classified) | Virtual (Zoom) |
| Jan. 13 | 9:00 AM | Business Leaders | WRHS Innovation Center |
| Jan. 13 | 10:00 AM | Washburn, Washburn Tech, KSDE, Board of Regents | WRHS Innovation Center |
| Jan. 13 | 1:00 PM | DW/SEC Classified Staff (Transportation, Mechanics, Maintenance/Grounds, Secretaries, IT) | SEC |
| Jan. 13 | 4:15 PM | Certified Staff (Elementary Schedule) | Indian Hills Main Collaboration Space |
| Jan. 13 | 6:00 PM | Parents and Community Members | Virtual (Zoom) |
| Jan. 13 | 7:00 PM | Any Staff (Certified or Classified) | Virtual (Zoom) |
| Jan. 14 | 9:30 AM | Principals | SEC |
| Jan. 14 | 10:30 AM | Operations Administrators | SEC |
| Jan. 14 | 11:30 AM | Learning Services Administrators | SEC |
| Jan. 14 | 3:05 PM | Classified Staff | WRHS Library |
| Jan. 14 | 4:30 PM | Any Staff (Certified or Classified) & Auburn Community | Auburn Elementary Library |
| Jan. 14 | 6:00 PM | Any Stakeholders | Wanamaker Elementary Library |
If you can't attend a focus group, please email your comments to Mike Richie, HYA Vice President at mikerichie@hyasearch.com and/or Frank Henderson, HYA Associate at frankhenderson@hyasearch.com.
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
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.