Seattle Public Schools initiates comprehensive superintendent search with community engagement focus

The Seattle Schools Board held a special meeting on May 13, 2025, focusing on the search for a new superintendent. The meeting began with discussions about the creation of a dedicated superintendent search page on the district's website, aimed at enhancing community awareness and engagement. Chief of Staff Bev Redmond emphasized the importance of translating communications into the district's top five languages to ensure accessibility for all families.

The board discussed the process for gathering input from various stakeholders, including students, parents, and staff, to shape the leadership profile for the new superintendent. Each board member will participate in interviews to express their goals and aspirations for the district. The search will include a national outreach strategy, with a focus on leveraging connections within the West Coast, particularly California, to attract qualified candidates.

The application deadline for the superintendent position is set for July 31, 2025. The board plans to conduct comprehensive background checks on candidates, ensuring thorough vetting of their qualifications. The meeting highlighted the importance of community engagement, with plans for focus groups and surveys to capture diverse voices and perspectives.

President Toph raised concerns about ensuring that specific groups, such as the superintendent advisory board and the NAACP student council, are included in the engagement process. The search firm assured the board that they would actively reach out to any groups identified by board members to facilitate meaningful dialogue.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to authentic community engagement, with the search firm expressing their willingness to collaborate closely with board members to ensure that the voices of all community members are heard throughout the search process. The board aims to create a leadership profile that reflects the community's needs and aspirations, setting the stage for a successful transition in leadership.