Steamboat Springs School District RE-2, Steamboat Springs, CO Superintendent

SUPERINTENDENT POSITION DESCRIPTION

Steamboat Springs School District RE-2

Steamboat Springs Colorado

The Steamboat Springs School District RE-2 Board of Education is seeking a highly qualified fully licensed Superintendent to lead the district beginning July 1 2026.

McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C. Executive Recruitment and Development has been retained to assist the Board of Education in identifying recruiting and screening outstanding candidates for this position.

DISTRICT INFORMATION

Enrollment: Approximately 2500 students

Grades Served: PK12

Steamboat Springs is nationally known for its world-class skiing and outdoor recreation anchored by Steamboat Ski Resort and its famed Champagne Powder. The community features both a historic downtownreflecting its western heritageand a mountain village located a few miles away. Originally a summer destination known for its natural hot springs hunting and fishing Steamboat Springs has grown into a vibrant year-round community located approximately 160 miles northwest of Denver at an elevation of 6732 feet.

Steamboat Springs School District RE-2 is a highly rated public school district committed to academic excellence whole-child development and strong community partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS AND DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS

The Board of Education recognizes that selecting a superintendent is one of its most important responsibilities. The successful candidate must demonstrate the background skills and leadership qualities essential to advancing excellence in the Steamboat Springs School District.

Leadership & Values

The district seeks a student-centered ethical and visionary leader who builds trust through strong relationships transparency and consistent actions. The Superintendent must be highly visible in schools and throughout the community demonstrating a genuine desire to be present engaged and connected with students staff families and community members.

This leader values collaboration fosters a culture of respect and connection and understands that trust and credibility are built through listening follow-through and shared accountability.

Educational & Instructional Leadership

Strong instructional leadership is essential. The ideal candidate demonstrates deep understanding of PK12 systems instructional alignment data-informed decision-making and high-quality professional learning. A doctorate degree is preferred with a Colorado administrators license.

The Superintendent will prioritize academic growth while also addressing the whole student recognizing the importance of mental health social-emotional supports and student voice beyond test scores. Experience serving special populationsincluding special education gifted and talented and culturally and linguistically diverse learnersis critical.

Knowledge of ESS programming career and technical education (CTE) concurrent enrollment and emerging instructional areas such as artificial intelligence and innovative practices is highly valued.

Collaborative & Competent Leadership

The district seeks a collaborative leader who supports and develops existing staff. The Superintendent must be an effective delegator who builds strong leadership teams establishes clear roles and processes and empowers administrators and staff to grow.

The successful candidate demonstrates skill in mediating differing perspectives working with diverse personalities and building cohesive teams across schools central administration and the Board of Education. A teaching background is strongly valued as it fosters empathy credibility and authentic relationships with educators.

Visionary Leadership

As a visionary leader the Superintendent must be forward-thinking while honoring the strong foundation already in place. The ideal candidate can articulate a clear direction for the district rally support around a strategic plan and guide thoughtful sustainable change.

The Superintendent sees value in renewing and implementing a multi-year strategic plan that balances innovation with respect for past efforts demonstrates a growth mindset remains outcome-oriented and holds an unwavering belief that failure is not an option for students.

Financial Acumen

Strong financial leadership is essential. The Superintendent must demonstrate a solid understanding of Colorado school finance enrollment trends and the effective use of district resources including the Education Fund and the one-half cent sales tax.

The ability to make difficult fiscal decisions creatively utilize space amid declining enrollment and align financial planning with instructional priorities is critical. Transparency and responsible stewardship of public funds are non-negotiable expectations.

Communication & Community Engagement

The Superintendent must be a clear and effective communicatorone who writes and speaks with clarity listens reflectively and can analyze complex information and share it in understandable terms.

The ideal candidate actively engages the broader community collaborates with multiple local partners and values being a visible and contributing member of the Steamboat Springs community beyond the school day. Spanish language skills and experience engaging diverse families are considered strong assets.

Personal Leadership Qualities

The Board seeks a leader who is resilient grounded and balancedsomeone who manages stress effectively maintains perspective and models healthy work-life balance. This individual is decisive yet reflective thick-skinned when necessary and unwavering in their commitment to serving all students.

Above all the Superintendent must lead with integrity humility and a deep belief that every decision should advance student success and district excellence.

COMPENSATION

Salary Range: $230000$260000 based on experience.

The compensation package includes:

• Individual health dental and vision insurance
• A moving allowance not to exceed $12000 (requires three bids)
• Other negotiated benefits

SEARCH TIMELINE

Application Deadline: March 16 2026

Finalists Selected: March 30 2026

Board Interviews: April

Selection of Superintendent: April 15 2026

Start Date: July 1 2026

CONTACT INFORMATION

McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C.

11725 Arbor Street Suite 220

Omaha NE 68144

Phone:

Email:

Consultants:

Dr. Randy Zila

Dr. Christy Sinner

Stakeholder Feed Report:

District Website:

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Steamboat Springs School District RE-2 is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race religion color sex age national origin or disability. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed. Requests for accommodations during the application or recruitment process should be directed to McPherson & Jacobson.