The Haxtun School District is in search of a new Superintendent. Marsha Cody submitted her resignation to the Board of Education earlier this week.

In an announcement to staff on Monday, March 4, Cody said she has accepted a position with the Brush School District for the 2024-25 school year. She plans to complete her contract with Haxtun through the end of June.

The Board of Education met in a special meeting on Tuesday, March 5 to discuss plans moving forward to seek a replacement. According to Board President Amy Kilgour, the Board plans move forward in search of a new superintendent with the assistance of McPherson & Jacobson, LLC an executive recruitment and development firm. Kilgour said hopes are to have the job opening posted late this week to the beginning of next week.

Kilgour said in light of the short notice to find a replacement for Cody, the board will use the same criteria in the job posting as was used in the 2021 search. Over the next week or two, the District plans to distribute an electronic survey to both parents and community members to seek input and ideas for what the community would like to see in a candidate. Those surveys will go out via social media and the District’s student information software, Alma.

The job posting for the superintendent should go out within the next week and from there, Kilgour said applications will close in April and following that, board members will review applications and select three candidates to interview in May. Hopes are to have a superintendent hired and in place to begin the school year in July. However, if for some reason the board is not satisfied with the applicant pool, Kilgour said there is a possibility of appointing an interim superintendent until the right fit is found.

Cody was hired in April 2021 following a rigorous search with the assistance of McPherson & Jacobson, LLC. The same company oversaw Brush’s recent search in which Cody was offered the Superintendent position following the application and interview process.

“It is with mixed emotions that I resign my position as Superintendent of Haxtun School District effective June 28, 2024. I will cherish the relationships built and the hard work we did together to improve student outcomes for all students,” Cody said in her resignation letter submitted this week. “I agree with the statement ‘Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog’ because Haxtun School District will always have a very special place in my heart. I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with such incredibly caring and hard-working people. The character and commitment of the Haxtun staff, parents, community, students and Board of Education is beyond any I have ever experienced. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful school district.”