Klamath County School District
Superintendent Selection Process
1. Planning Phase: The first step was to select a search firm, and to finalize a search timeline and process. On January 14, 2026, the Board selected Human Capital Enterprises (HCE) as our search firm. We held a special Board meeting on January 15th where we established the format for the search, and developed a timeline for all of the search activities. HCE consultants will help KCSD’s Board of Directors throughout the process, and will conduct a comprehensive search for candidates.
2. Public Engagement Phase, January 22 - February 9: The next step is to determine the qualities, skills, and experiences we want in our next superintendent. During the engagement phase, HCE will conduct small focus groups of staff, parents, students, and educational and community partners to learn deeply about KCSD including our aspirations and opportunities, and to understand the background, skills, attributes and characteristics that we are looking for in our next leader. This information will also be sought through a survey of all KCSD constituents. All of the information gathered will be used to develop the “Next Superintendent Criteria” profile, which will be central to the recruiting, screening and interview process. The search firm consultants will present the initial profile in advance of a special Board meeting on February 18, 2026. At that meeting, the board will receive public comment on the document, edit, finalize, and adopt the Next Superintendent Criteria for the next KCSD Superintendent.
3. Recruiting Phase, February 19 - March 20, 2026: In hiring a search firm, school boards not only want a trusted partner who can run a process, but who can also identify and find exceptional talent – and in KCSD’s case, to entice great leaders who match our Next Superintendent Criteria to consider this remarkable opportunity. HCE will activate their regional and national networks to attract a pool of candidates that fit the adopted leadership profile, including targeted recruitment of candidates who may not be looking for the next opportunity, but are a unique “fit and match” for KCSD.
4. Selection Phase, March 24 - April 28, 2026: There are several steps to this phase, including preliminary interviews of top tier candidates by the search firm consultants, Board consideration and deliberation of an initial slate presented by the firm, first round interviews, and finalist interviews. HCE and Board members will also conduct extensive telephone reference checks, while an investigative agency will conduct comprehensive background checks. The Board anticipates deliberating to determine the sole finalist on April 28, 2026. Contract negotiations will then begin with a formal public announcement shortly thereafter - with a target of the first week in May.
5. Transition Phase, May - June, 2026: Although the Superintendent successor’s official start date is July 1, 2026, HCE will advise the board on transition activities which may include on-boarding days in KCSD prior to the start date. The Board’s vision is to build a transition period for deliberate succession planning between the current superintendent and successor superintendent, including community and district “meet and greet” opportunities, to support KCSD in the best possible way.
