Superintendent

Sioux City Community School District - Sioux City, Iowa

Sioux City Community School District seeks a Superintendent who possesses the following leadership traits:

• Is an effective communicator, creating strong school and community relations

•  Leads by example through honest practices

•  Is accountable and responsible for actions

•  Creates connections that result in people feeling valued/motivated

•  Values ethics and integrity, by practicing moral authority 

• Empowers others by promoting team strengths & a students first approach

•  Is responsive to the changing demographics and needs of district students through  staff growth and innovation

•  Shows transparency by sharing the district's goals and challenges

• Makes strategic, high-quality decisions with big-picture lens, while managing district resources 

• Builds strong diverse teams and promotes teamwork for success for all

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 third largest school district in Iowa, Sioux City Community Schools includes over 14,500 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 ESL 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 the state average at nearly 90%. 

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 10 schools in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota through more than 30 career and technical pathways. 

Last year, the Career Academy opened the doors to a new facility focused on the construction trades industry. As part of the pathway, students build one to 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. Fiscally, Sioux City Community Schools is one of the healthiest districts statewide, boasting an impressive balance sheet highlighting the District’s strong cash balance and spending authority. Community support for the Sioux City Community School District is strengthened by the District’s collaboration with the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation, which seeks to enhance public education in Sioux City. 

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 Josh.Moser@iowa.gov (515-281-3587).

Individuals wishing to be considered for the position must apply online including:

• A letter of application detailing personal qualifications, experience, and reasons for interest regarding the position.

• A current resume.

• Three (3) letters of recommendation.

• The online application form. (this form can be downloaded from the GR Recruiting website.)

Completed application information should be submitted by January 6, 2025, to the following email address:  jhammack@grrecruiting.com

The online application form- https://docs.google.com/document/d/19L7Cv6uvQyykAY5uqbnpV3KQkILKNfh5/edit

Steps to complete the online application form:

a. Click onto the Google docs link as shown above.

b. On the far left-hand side of your screen click onto File, and then Download a Microsoft Word document onto your computer.

c. Complete the application questions and include this document as a part of your total application materials.

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 by the consulting firm, 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).

Lead Associate: Dr. Dick Christie 402-681-3031

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.