"I cannot overstate how invaluable HYA's guidance was throughout the process. Their professionalism, patience, structure, and insight ensured we stayed focused and informed every step of the way. Without their expertise, I truly believe we could have missed out on the incredible superintendent we ultimately hired."
Finding the right superintendent is a defining moment for any school district. When that district serves tens of thousands of students, employs thousands of staff members, and operates under significant public scrutiny, the search becomes even more complex.
That’s why two of the Midwest’s largest school districts, Milwaukee Public Schools in Wisconsin and Anoka-Hennepin School District in Minnesota, recently partnered with HYA to guide their superintendent searches.
Both searches were led by Dr. Mike Richie, HYA Vice President and Senior Associate, who partnered closely with each Board of Education to develop a search process that reflected the district’s unique priorities while engaging stakeholders and recruiting an outstanding pool of candidates.
The result was the successful appointment of two exceptional superintendents equipped to lead these large, complex districts into their next chapter.
“Mike Richie and his team worked well with our staff, represented the district well in public meetings and feedback sessions, and provided high-quality materials to assist the school board with decision-making. Working under a condensed timeline and with a school board historically prone to split votes, Mike delivered a candidate who won unanimous approval. I should note this is the first time our district has worked with HYA on a search, and they delivered a positive result in line with community and school board expectations. Mike and his HYA team demonstrated a high level of professionalism and competency during a high-profile search process. He worked hard and represented this firm and our district with integrity. As you evaluate those who are looking to assist in your search, you can be assured that Mike and HYA will give their very best effort and you will not regret partnering with them for your needs.” Said Jim Skelly, Executive Director of Communication and Public Relations at Anoka-Hennepin School District.
While every superintendent search presents unique opportunities and challenges, these engagements demonstrate the importance of a thoughtful process, experienced guidance, and a search partner capable of navigating the complexities that accompany high-profile leadership transitions.
HYA has also recently lead searches in other large districts across the nation like Clark County School District in Nevada, Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky, and Seattle Public Schools in Washington.
More Than a Successful Search
HYA’s work with Milwaukee Public Schools did not conclude with the superintendent appointment. The district has continued to partner with HYA on multiple cabinet-level and administrative leadership searches, reflecting the strong relationship established throughout the superintendent search process.
That continued partnership speaks to HYA’s collaborative approach and commitment to supporting districts well beyond a single leadership transition.
As Dr. Tina Owen Moore, Board Clerk, Milwaukee Public Schools, shared:
“From the very beginning, the HYA team worked diligently to guide and support the search process for a new superintendent. Their team was not only responsive and available, but also frequently onsite, meeting with board members, staff, and stakeholders to ensure a thorough and transparent process. The Board was able to identify and hire a highly qualified, experienced superintendent—someone well-equipped to lead our district through a particularly challenging time. I recommend Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to any district embarking on a leadership search. Their dedication, expertise, and collaborative approach made them an exceptional partner.”
A Proven Track Record with Large School Systems
Milwaukee Public Schools and Anoka-Hennepin School District join a growing list of large school systems that have entrusted HYA with one of their most important responsibilities, selecting their next superintendent.
In 2023, Dr. Mike Richie also directed the superintendent search for Aurora Public Schools, Colorado’s fifth-largest school district, serving approximately 38,000 students. Like Milwaukee and Anoka-Hennepin, Aurora required a search process capable of balancing stakeholder engagement, strategic candidate recruitment, and thoughtful board decision-making.
Reflecting on that experience, Dr. Anne Keke, President of the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education, shared:
“As a first-time participant in a superintendent search, I cannot overstate how invaluable HYA’s guidance was throughout the process. Their professionalism, patience, structure, and insight ensured we stayed focused and informed every step of the way. Without their expertise, I truly believe we could have missed out on the incredible superintendent we ultimately hired. Aurora Public Schools is stronger because of their support.
A Trusted Partner for Complex Superintendent Searches
The successful completion of these recent searches reinforces HYA’s longstanding reputation as a trusted partner for school boards leading complex superintendent searches. From some of the nation’s largest urban districts to growing suburban communities, HYA continues to help boards recruit exceptional candidates, engage their communities, and confidently select leaders who will shape the future of public education.
As school districts across the country prepare for future leadership transitions, HYA remains committed to providing the experience, strategic guidance, and collaborative partnership boards need to navigate one of their most important decisions.
