Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott McWilliams has announced his retirement, effective July 31, 2026. The Auburn-Washburn Board of Education is beginning the important process of selecting the district's next leader. This page will serve as the central hub for information, ensuring open communication and transparency throughout the search. Updates will be posted here regularly as the process moves forward.

Timeline

The Board of Education has designed a five-phase process to select the next Superintendent of Schools. We will work in close partnership with teachers, staff, families, and community members to identify and select the strongest leader for our district. Phases I-IV will be conducted in a confidential format to protect candidate confidentiality. Phase V will be open and transparent to the community. The process is outlined below:

Phase I — September 2025

• Establish timelines
• Determine recruitment strategy
• Develop promotional and communication materials

Phase II — October 2025

• Review job description and board policies
• Gather input through a variety of stakeholder engagement opportunities
• Begin outreach to potential candidates
• Finalize advertising platforms and posting strategy

Phase III — November 2025

• Share desired candidate attributes with the community
• Publish candidate evaluation framework reflective of these attributes
• Actively recruit qualified candidates
• Develop interview structure and schedule

Phase IV — December 2025 & January 2026

• Officially post vacancy
• Review applications
• Identify and advance finalists
• Schedule and coordinate interviews

Phase V — February 2026

• Conduct finalist interviews
• Select and announce the next superintendent

As we move through this process, the Board of Education remains dedicated to a thoughtful and thorough search. We are confident that this approach will lead us to a leader who will guide our district with vision, integrity, and a steadfast focus on student success. We recognize the vital role of our community and will continue to keep stakeholders engaged and informed along the way. Together, with strong leadership and shared commitment, we will ensure the future of every child, every day.

Online Community Survey

We want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to complete our online community survey and share the qualities and attributes you believe are most important in our next leader. Your feedback will directly inform the Board of Education as they develop the candidate profile. The survey will remain open through the month of October.

Community Meetings

As part of the comprehensive search for Auburn-Washburn's next Superintendent, the Board of Education is inviting in-person community feedback. Please join us at one or more of the following listening sessions:

• Monday, October 20, 2025 – Washburn Rural Middle School (5:15 PM)
• Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – Washburn Rural North Middle School (6:00 PM)
• Thursday, October 23, 2025 – Washburn Rural High School Innovation Center (6:00 PM)
• Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Shuler Education Center (6:30 PM)

Your voice matters in this important decision. Thank you in advance for your participation and support.

Contact

For questions about this search process or to express interest, please contact Chelsea Clark, Executive Director of Human Resources, at clarkche@usd437.net or (785) 339-4036.