Superintendent – Gunnison, CO

Job Description

The Gunnison Watershed School District located in Gunnison and Crested Butte, Colorado, is seeking a highly qualified Superintendent. The Board wishes to have the successful candidate assume the responsibilities of the position July 1, 2026.

McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., Executive Recruitment and Development has been engaged as the consultant in a search for outstanding candidates. They will assist the board of education in identifying and screening the candidates. HYA is not affiliated with McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C.

Enrollment: 2,100

Location: The Gunnison Watershed School District (GWSD) is a public school district with seven schools located in the communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Marble. The district encompasses nearly 3000 square miles and crosses two counties – Gunnison County and Saguache County. The district administrative office is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in the city of Gunnison. The valley’s economy is largely based on higher education, ranching, and tourism. The community has a variety of services including the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Valley Hospital, Western Colorado University, Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Monarch Ski Area, and numerous four-season outdoor recreation activities. The high elevation leads to ever changing weather and winter temperatures are often well below zero. The community has a growing population of multilingual learners.

The Qualifications:  The candidate must have the background, skills, and abilities essential for excellence in educational leadership. The board recognizes that selecting a superintendent is one of the most important decisions it will make. The board has identified the following desired characteristics aligned with the strategic plan:

Holistic Learner Experience

Values educating the whole child
Student-focused
Proven experience with improving academic outcomes
Experience in meeting the diverse needs of all students
Caring and Exceptional Staff

Demonstrates high integrity and ethics
Builds trust to create a collaborative environment
Experience in staff recruiting and retention
Visible in classrooms, schools, and community
Strong leadership and vision
Strong Family and Community Partnerships

Builds strong family and community relationships and fosters partnerships
Knows and understands working in a rural community
Experience building and managing a budget to meet district needs

Additional Requirements:
MA required
Principal license required
Residing within school district boundaries
Building leadership experience or administrative position at central office
Previous superintendent experience preferred
Bilingual and/or experience building relationship with multilingual communities preferred

Salary and Benefits:
$155,000 – $185,000 (commensurate with experience and education)
Family Health Insurance
Cell phone stipend

Search Timeline: 
Closing date for applications: January 5, 2026 (11:59 p.m. central time)
Board of Education selects finalists to interview: January 19, 2026
Interviews with community engagement: February 9 & 10, 2026
Superintendent selection: February 10 or 11, 2026
Start date: July 1, 2026 or as negotiated