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Sacramento County Office of Education

Sacramento County Superintendent Search Process

David W. Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools, has announced that he plans to retire on June 30, 2027. The Sacramento County Board of Education subsequently initiated the search process for the next Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools.

Help Shape the Future of Education in California’s Capital Region

The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) invites an experienced and visionary educational leader to serve as the next Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools, guiding one of California’s most influential and complex county education systems.

Located in the heart of the state capital, SCOE operates at the intersection of regional leadership, statewide policy, and direct student services. The organization supports more than 250,000 students across 13 public school districts and nearly 400 schools throughout Sacramento County. With approximately 1,500 employees, SCOE delivers programs, expertise, and leadership that strengthen school systems and expand opportunity for students and families.

This role offers far more than organizational leadership. It is an opportunity to influence educational systems across the region and the state. The superintendent works closely with a diverse County Board of Education, district leaders, state agencies, community organizations, and education partners to advance student success while ensuring SCOE remains a trusted resource, advocate, and convener.

For the right leader, this position offers the opportunity to build upon a strong legacy while guiding SCOE into its next chapter of innovation and impact.

The Board selected Leadership Associates, an executive search firm, to lead this important effort. Updates and announcements regarding the search will be shared on this page.

Application Process

Applications must be completed and returned via email by 5 p.m. PDT on March 31, 2026.

Search Timeline

Note: Italicized text indicates Board Participation

December 2025 (Preliminary Phase)

  • December 8: County Office receives proposals
  • December 15: Proposal Presentations / Board Selects Firm (Board Participation)

February 2026 (Community Engagement)

  • February 3: Initial Meeting with the Board; Board determines characteristics, skills & qualities desired in new superintendent; publicly announces timeline and procedures (Open and Closed Session; approx 3 hrs total; Board Participation)
  • February 11–March 2: Online survey dates
  • February 18, 19, and 21 (In Person)/February 24 (Zoom): Consultants confer with staff and community designated by the Board to receive input

February–March 2026 (Advertisement and Recruitment)

  • February–March: Consultants identify potential candidates; Development and posting of recruitment materials and Position Description
  • March 9 & 16: Advertising and active recruitment; Ad appears in EdCal (two consecutive publications)
  • March 31, 5:00 p.m.: Deadline for applications

March-May 2026 (Interviews and Selection)

  • March–April: Consultants complete comprehensive reference and background checks on applicants
  • Week of May 5 (Special Meeting): Board confers with consultants, reviews all applications and selects candidates to be interviewed (Closed Session; approx 3 hours; Board participation)
  • May 22–23 (Special Meeting): Board interviews candidates; selects finalist(s) (Closed Session; all-day meeting; Board participation)

June 2026 (Contract Approval)

  • TBD: Board completes the validation process of the leading candidate and makes final determination (Board Participation)
  • June 2 or 16: Board approves superintendent contract at a regularly scheduled board meeting (Board Participation)

Start Date

  • TBD (As Mutually Agreed): New superintendent begins

Public Input

Stakeholders can share their feedback in four ways: by completing online surveys, attending community forums or virtual sessions, and participating in small group discussions.

Online Surveys (Closed March 2, 2026)

To ensure a collaborative and inclusive process, the Board is requesting public input through an anonymous online survey. The purpose of the survey is to gather feedback from stakeholders on the qualities and characteristics they believe are most important for the next superintendent to possess. The survey also seeks your perspectives on the County Office of Education’s strengths, challenges, and our community. This feedback will help inform the development of the leadership profile and guide the selection process.

Community Forums

  • February 18, 2026 (SCOE Conference Center)
    5:30–7:40 p.m.
    3661 Whitehead Street, Suite 100
    Mather, CA 95655
  • February 19, 2026 (Leo A. Palmiter Junior/Senior High School)
    5:30–6:30 p.m.
    Room D1 (Capacity 60)
    2040 Ethan Way
    Sacramento, CA 95825
  • February 21, 2026 (SCOE Board Room)
    9:00–11:00 a.m.
    10474 Mather Blvd
    Mather, CA 95655
  • February 21, 2026 (Leo A. Palmiter Junior/Senior High School)
    9:00–11:00 a.m.
    Room D1 (Capacity 60)
    2040 Ethan Way
    Sacramento, CA 95825

Virtual Sessions

Thirty-minute virtual Zoom sessions took place on February 24, 2026.
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