Sioux City School Board Begins Superintendent Search

The board voted to launch an internal search for a new district leader to serve starting next school year.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Administration

Gouache-painted illustration of a historic brick school facade, representing the civic and educational mission of the local district board. — The Sioux City Community School District Board has launched a search for a new superintendent, aiming to fill the role by 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the public have a direct say in your local school board's superintendent hiring process?

The Sioux City Community School District Board of Directors has initiated a new search for a permanent superintendent. The district aims to fill the position in time for the 2027-28 school year.

Why it matters

This move marks a fresh effort to secure permanent leadership for the district following the resignation of the previous superintendent earlier this year.

The upcoming job opening will remain posted for 30 days. The board previously reviewed three finalists for the role but failed to reach a unanimous decision during that attempt.

The players

Sioux City Community School District Board of Directors

This elected body is responsible for overseeing the educational policies and administrative operations of the Sioux City school system.

Jim Vanderloo

He currently serves as the Interim Superintendent for the 2026-27 school year after stepping in to lead the district.

Juan Cordova

He served as the superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District from July 2025 until his resignation in January 2026.

The details

The board voted on October 26, 2026, to conduct the hiring process internally. They intend to hold public forums to gather community input throughout the search.

July 2025: Dr. Juan Cordova began his tenure as superintendent.
January 2026: Dr. Juan Cordova resigned from his role.
October 26, 2026: The board voted to restart the search internally.
November 9, 2026: The school district will post the job opening.
2027-28 school year: The new superintendent is expected to begin their term.

Culture Shift

The district's current search for new leadership aligns with the national trend of increasing public school superintendent turnover rates. This situation reflects the growing difficulty school boards face in finding consensus on executive leadership in an evolving educational climate.

Residents can expect the district to host public forums, providing community members an opportunity to share their priorities for the next leader. This transition phase ensures that local feedback can influence the selection process for the 2027-28 school year.

The takeaway

Maintaining continuity through the interim period is vital while the board works to build a consensus on the next permanent hire. Residents are encouraged to monitor the upcoming public forums to stay informed about the search process.