About this opportunity
AI summaryThe Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Trustees seeks proposals from qualified search firms to provide comprehensive superintendent search services. The selected firm will handle project planning, stakeholder engagement, candidate recruitment and screening, finalist support, and assistance with contract negotiations. Only U.S. onshore organizations are eligible, and work will be performed onsite. Applicants must email digital PDF proposals to [email protected] and copy [email protected] by November 30, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. with the specified subject line. Questions should be directed to Board President William Banning. An ad hoc committee will evaluate submissions based on criteria including the firm's and proposed consultants' relevant experience and qualifications, as well as total cost, expense controls, and pricing clarity. The District expects to notify selected firms by December 18, 2026, and invite up to four finalists to interview and present on January 12, 2026.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- Santa Barbara Unified School District
Scope of work
- Project planning
- Stakeholder engagement
- Candidate recruitment and screening
- Finalist support
- Assistance with contract negotiations
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Relevant experience and qualifications of the firm and proposed consultants | Not specified |
| Quality and completeness of the proposed process and services | Not specified |
| Approach to stakeholder and community engagement | Not specified |
| Proposed timeline and ability to meet the District’s needs | Not specified |
| Total cost, expense controls, and clarity of pricing | Not specified |
| References and record of successful engagements | Not specified |
| Quality and completeness of the proposal and presentation | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Experience conducting superintendent searches, particularly for California unified school districts of comparable size or complexity
Documents to include with your response
- Firm qualifications and experience details
- Conflicts of interest and recruitment restrictions statement
- Recommended process and services description
- Education partner and community engagement plan
- Recruitment, screening, and finalist process description
- Proposed timeline
- Fees and expenses with not-to-exceed total fee
- Guarantee statement
- Board and counsel support narrative
- References, complete five-year search history, and measures of success
Key dates
- Issue date
- October 28, 2026
- Proposal due date and time
- November 30, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
- Expects to notify firms selected for an interview
- December 18, 2026
- Board meeting presentations
- January 12, 2026
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submit a digital PDF version of the proposal by email to the Board President and CC the General Counsel with subject line Proposal—Superintendent Search Services.
Contract details
- Place of performance
- 720 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101