Vancouver Public Schools

New superindentent search

Our search for the next VPS Superintendent

Our VPS Board of Directors is searching for our next permanent superintendent with the professional support of a superintendent search firm, Ray and Associates.

Choosing a new superintendent is one of the most important decisions for our schools and our community.

We strongly believe that finding the best candidate will only be accomplished with our community’s partnership and involvement. Throughout the search, there will be multiple opportunities for families, staff, and community members to share their perspectives. Your input will help shape the superintendent profile and guide the board toward a final decision. We are committed to making the process inclusive, transparent, and guided by your voices.

Please note: Our interim superintendent and interim associate superintendent are not eligible for this position.

First day of school. Students at school!

How you can be involved

  • The week of January 5

    Our VPS Board of Directors will confidentially interview a number of top applicants for round 1 interviews. 

  • The week of January 12

    We will share the recorded interviews here of those 3-4 candidates that the board decides to move forward with as finalists.

    • There will be a general survey everyone in the community will be asked to complete with feedback about these candidates. You are encouraged to answer this survey in addition to your participation the following week.

  • January 20 and 21

    All of the finalists will be invited to VPS for in-person meetings and interviews

    • Community members are invited to meet with the candidates 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
    • This will be held at Bates Center for Educational Leadership, 2921 Falk Rd., Vancouver, WA 98661
    • This may end a bit earlier if there are 3 candidates vs. 4
    • There will be a survey everyone in attendance will be asked to complete with feedback about each candidate after they leave the room.
    • We ask that everyone do their best to stay the entire time, as each candidate will meet with the group for 40 minutes one after the other.
      • There will be brief breaks between each candidate (approx. 5-10 minutes for the break) 
    • Each candidate will be asked the same questions by a facilitator
      • The facilitator’s role will simply be to ask these questions in a neutral way and to keep the sessions within the timeframe allotted.

    The board genuinely wants authentic input from our stakeholder groups to inform this process, and we want to do as much as we can to support a hiring process for a really great next superintendent we can all feel confident about.

First day of school 2024

Our New Superintendent Top Qualities Profile

A sincere thank you to our community for your ongoing support and for taking the time to respond to our 31 Qualities survey. Plus, 152 students, staff, and community members joined us for focus group discussions in mid-September. 

Your feedback is invaluable to help us find a strong, experienced leader who fits the needs of our unique students, staff and community. 

The top qualities our community identified led us to develop our professional job posting which lists: 

Transition to Kindergarten classroom at Washington Elementary. Students playing bingo.

Our Next Superintendent

The VPS Board is seeking a skilled administrator to lead our vibrant, diverse school system.

Someone who:

  • Is willing to listen to input, but is a decision maker.
  • Possesses the leadership skills, knowledge and sensitivity required to respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by a diverse student body and community.

  • Has a strong moral compass that is rooted in justice and equality.

  • Is a strong communicator in speaking, listening and writing.

  • Has experience with effective management and planning practices that will benefit the long-term financial health of the district.

  • Promotes positive and inclusive student behavior conducive to a healthy and safe learning environment

  • Is strongly committed to a “student centered” philosophy in all decisions.

  • Possesses the ability to enhance student performance, especially in identifying and closing or narrowing the gaps in student achievement and opportunity.

  • Promotes a positive and professional environment that includes mutual trust and respect among faculty, staff, administrators and Board.

  • Has classroom experience in a K-12 setting.

  • Is able to build consensus and commitment among individuals and groups.

  • Is comfortable leading innovation and reform efforts.

Superintendent search timeline

  • Stage 1 — Preparation (August and September)

    • Online survey for community input opens. Available until October 6, 2025
    • Active recruitment begins

  • Stage 2 — Ideal Candidate Profile Development (September to October)

    • Community listening sessions (In-person and/or virtual)
    • Online survey closes Monday, October 6, 2025, at 8 a.m. 
    • Superintendent profile finalized for promotional materials, job description, and application form

  • Stage 3 — Recruiting (October and November)

    • Promotional materials and application information sent to prospective candidates
    • Application deadline: November 30, 2025

  • Stage 4 — Interviews (December and January)

    • Interviews held with top candidates
    • Community input will be an important part of the interview process

  • Stage 5 — Engaging our Community (January)

    •  Community members will be invited to meet the finalists in mid-January

  • Stage 6 — Selection & Announcement (January and February 2026)

    • Offer extended to selected candidate
    • Public announcement of new superintendent