Description
The Sun Prairie Area School District is seeking a Superintendent beginning on July 1, 2026, with a base salary range expected to be $215,000 to $245,000; other benefits to be negotiated.
Sun Prairie is a vibrant and thriving community located in northeastern Dane County, just east of the City of Madison. Approximately 50,000 people live within the nearly 80 square miles that make up SPASD boundaries. The City of Sun Prairie is well situated regionally, with excellent access to major transportation routes and facilities. Sun Prairie benefits from its proximity to the City of Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which provide many amenities, events, and attractions for both residents of and visitors to the Sun Prairie area. Sun Prairie has become known in the region for its high quality of life, its excellent parks and recreation programs, historic downtown, its exceptional public school system, and progressive approach to the development and growth of the community.
The Sun Prairie Area School District serves more than 8,500 students in 4K-12th grade. The district includes 15 schools: nine elementary schools, three middle schools, two comprehensive high schools, and an alternative learning high school. The district also offers a 4K program at 10 partner child care/preschool sites around the community, and a virtual school. The district has more than 1,300 employees and a budget of approximately $220 million.
Vision: Recognized as a high-performing district of choice that reflects the cultures of our diverse community.
Mission: Inspire and prepare every child, every day, by providing relevant, engaging, and innovative learning experiences in and out of the classroom
Our Core Values and Commitments:
- Student - Centered Decision Making - We center students in all decision-making by focusing on the needs of the whole child.
- Welcoming Climate - We believe in providing a welcoming, safe, nurturing, and collaborative environment that allows the opportunity for every child to reach their full potential.
- Relationships - We embrace positive and strong partnerships with students, staff, parents, caregivers and the community.
- High Expectations - We have high expectations for students and ourselves.
- Equity - We embrace our commitment to equity and are committed to providing resources aligned to students' needs so that every child can thrive. Core Values and Commitments
- Diversity - We believe our diversity is an asset and our strength.
- Respect and Dignity - All students, parents, caregivers, and staff are valued and treated with respect and dignity.
District Highlights:
- A- overall rating by Niche.com, and the second-most diverse school district in Dane County
- Sun Prairie East and West high schools ranked inthe top 20 percent in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- 2025 ACT average of 19.9 is above the state (19.2) and national average (19.4)
- Exceeds expectations on the 2025 Wisconsin DPI State Report Cards, with 7 of 15 schools also exceeding expectations
- Community overwhelmingly approved a $25 million recurring operational referendum, phased in over 5 years in November 2024
Visit the SPASD Website for more information: SPASD Website
Link to Superintendent Job Posting on the HYA Website: https://hyasearch.com/job/superintendent-sun-prairie-wi/
INCLUDE IN YOUR FRONTLINE APPLICATION:
- Cover letter
- Stating specific and detailed interest in the Sun Prairie Superintendent position
- Qualifications for the position
- Full resume/vitae
- Three current letters of recommendation
- Contact information of three additional references different than the reference letters
Search Timeline - All Application Materials Due By: March 20, 2026
March 10, 2026 : District Profile Report released
March 30, 2026 : HYA to present slate of candidates to the Board
April 7 and 9, 2026 : Board first-round interviews
April 13, 2026 : Finalists Day in the District
April 14, 2026 : Board conducts final interviews
By April 30, 2026 : Superintendent’s hiring approved/announced
July 1, 2026 : Superintendent contract formally begins
For questions regarding the Sun Prairie Area School District Superintendent search, contact:
Mike Richie, Vice President, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates
Email: mikerichie@hyasearch.com
Scott Winch, Senior Associate, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates
Email: scottwinch@hyasearch.com
Pat Neudecker, Senior Associate, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates
Email: patneudecker@hyasearch.com
