About the Search Process
The selection of a superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities of the Redwood City School District (RCSD) Board of Trustees. This search and appointment process was guided by Board Policy 2120: Superintendent Recruitment and Selection, which outlines the Board’s responsibility to lead a fair, thorough, and transparent process aligned with the school district’s needs and long-term goals.
In accordance with Board policy, the Board established a search and selection process that considered RCSD’s current priorities and future direction, the desired professional qualifications and leadership characteristics of a superintendent, and how and when to engage the community. The Board also determined the scope of the search, elected to conduct a national search, and engaged Leadership Associates, a professional executive search firm, to support recruitment, screening, and community engagement.
As part of the process, Leadership Associates:
- Engaged district staff and community groups
- Gathered feedback through a community survey
This input helped the Board understand the qualities and leadership attributes most important to the RCSD community and directly informed the evaluation criteria used during candidate review.
The Board:
- Reviewed a strong pool of applicants from within California and across the country
- Interviewed four finalists
- Used a structured, criteria-based evaluation rubric to ensure consistency, fairness, and alignment with district needs
In accordance with law and Board policy, interviews and deliberations were conducted in closed session, with final action taken and reported in open session.
Throughout the process, the Board retained full oversight and responsibility for all decisions, conducted the search in accordance with legal and ethical requirements, and remained focused on ensuring both a fair selection process and a smooth leadership transition for the district.