Benton School District
Superintendent Search  |  2027–28 School Year

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT.  STRONG COMMUNITY.  HIGH EXPECTATIONS.

As a result of accepting the retirement request of current superintendent Todd Bastian, the Benton School District Board of Education, in partnership with CESA 3, seeks an outstanding educational leader to serve as Superintendent beginning July 1, 2027, or as negotiated.    

Benton seeks a student-centered, financially knowledgeable, strategic, and relationship-driven leader who will preserve and build upon a tradition of high achievement and strong community support.

Applicants should hold, or demonstrate eligibility to obtain, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction District Administrator licensure before beginning employment.

District and Community Overview
Benton is a high-achieving school district in a supportive rural community that places a high value on education. Families, educators, staff, and community members expect strong results, responsible stewardship of resources, and an educational experience that prepares every student for future success.

The district seeks a superintendent who understands that sustaining high achievement requires intentional leadership, strong relationships, high expectations, and continued attention to student opportunities. The successful candidate will honor the community’s investment in its schools while helping Benton plan confidently for the future.

Desired Leadership Profile
In establishing its leadership priorities, the Board emphasized school finance, strategic planning, student-centered leadership, clear communication of a vision, supervisory capability, and organizational effectiveness. On a personal level, Board members gave particular importance to empathy, promoting team success, continuous learning, and transparency.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

•       Strong knowledge of Wisconsin public school finance, budgeting, revenue limits, fiscal forecasting, and long-range financial sustainability.
•       The ability to develop and implement strategic plans that sustain high achievement while preparing the district for changing needs and opportunities.
•       An unwavering commitment to students, high-quality instruction, and educational opportunities that enable each learner to thrive.
•       The ability to articulate a clear, goal-driven vision and communicate progress to staff, the Board, families, and community members.
•       Effective supervisory and personnel leadership, including developing staff, setting high expectations, and placing people in roles where they can                     succeed.
•       Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, timely decision-making, and consistent follow-through.
•       An ability to listen carefully, demonstrate empathy, consider multiple perspectives, and receive feedback without personalizing disagreement.
•       A collaborative leadership approach that motivates others, empowers teams, and shares credit for collective success.
•       Transparency, integrity, professionalism, and a willingness to communicate openly about difficult decisions.
•       A commitment to continuous learning and the confidence to solve complex problems while remaining open to better solutions.
•       An appreciation of rural education, community pride, and the strong partnership between Benton families, staff, and schools.

Application Materials
Candidates are asked to submit:

      A current résumé and three letters of recommendation.

      Three additional professional references, separate from those writing recommendation letters.

      A cover letter addressing the candidate’s leadership purpose and philosophy; interest in Benton; experience managing school district finances and strategic planning; approach to sustaining high achievement; and strategies for building trust, developing staff, and maintaining a transparent partnership with the Board and community.

Application Process
Application deadline: Saturday, January 9, 2027. Submit application materials as email attachments to jnutter@cesa3.org with the subject line “Benton Superintendent Search.”  Do NOT submit on WECAN, please use email attachments as directed.

For questions about the search, contact Dr. Jamie Nutter, CESA 3, at 608-822-3276.

Application and Tentative Selection Timeline
      Early November 2026: Post position and begin recruitment; finalize staff/community outreach plan.

      Saturday, January 9, 2027: Application deadline (submission cutoff time to be specified).

      January 11–15: CESA 3 candidate screening, initial references, and due diligence.

      Friday, January 15: Present candidate slate to Board; identify approximately six to eight first-round interviewees.

      January 20–21: First-round interviews with the Board (60–90 minutes each; virtual option to be decided).

      January 22: Confirm finalist slate and invite staff/administration/operations interview participants.

      January 26–28: Finalist rotations with representative stakeholder committees and Board members.

      Tuesday, February 2: Final Board interviews, deliberations, and preferred-candidate selection.

      Thursday, February 4: Reserved for additional final Board interviews or deliberations if needed.

      February 2027: Complete remaining diligence, contract negotiations, and formal Board approval.

      Late May–June 2027: Transition and entry planning.

      Thursday, July 1, 2027: Anticipated start date, or as negotiated with the Board.

Dates are anticipated and may be adjusted as the search progresses. The Board plans to complete final interviews on February 2, with February 4 available if needed.