2024 Superintendent Search Process

On Wednesday, June 26 during a special board meeting, the board of directors unanimously approved a 3-year contract for Dr. Horton. He will begin serving as superintendent on July 1, 2024. See the full press release below. 

SWMetro Hires Dr. Jeff Horton
Official Press Release

The SouthWest Metro Board of Directors is pleased to announce the completion of its search for the next superintendent of SouthWest Metro Intermediate District 288 and has selected Dr. Jeff Horton for the position, pending successful completion of contract negotiations and background checks. Horton is currently serving as the superintendent of Gibbons-Fairfax-Winthrop.

On June 18, the candidates attended in-person interviews that involved both staff and superintendents from member districts of SWMetro. The day concluded with the board of directors conducting their own interviews with the candidates, evaluating feedback from various groups and deliberating on each candidate’s strengths before arriving at a final decision.  

The board of directors also interviewed Malinda Major, a principal in the Stillwater Area Public School District, for the same position.

The SouthWest Metro Intermediate District 288 School Board has narrowed down their search for a new superintendent to two finalists.
The board is excited to announce that Malinda Major, current Principal at Stillwater Area Public Schools; and Dr. Jeff Horton, serving as Superintendent at Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Public Schools, will be advancing in the selection process and participating in interviews on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 starting at 5:30pm in the Compass Room at the Dean Lakes Education Center in Shakopee, MN. The School Board meeting will be open to the public and livestreamed, with a viewing link available on the SWMetro website.

SWMetro Superintendent Finalist Interview Schedule:

When: 
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
School Board meeting start time: 5:30 pm
Board Meeting open to the public and available to livestream at the following link:

June 18 2024 Board Meeting Livestream

Where: 
Dean Lakes Education Center 
4601 Dean Lakes Blvd, Shakopee, MN 55379

The SouthWest Metro School Board has compiled a candidate profile of qualities they will look for in the next superintendent using survey data, feedback, and other SWMetro constituents. 

View the Superintendent Candidate Profile here

SouthWest Metro Board approves Dr. Jeff Hortons superintendent contract at 7:30a.m.

SouthWest Metro superintendent finalists interviewed at the June 18 school board meeting at 5:30pm. 
At the conclusion of the meeting the Board agreed to enter into contract negotiations with Dr. Jeff Horton. 

Superintendent finalist candidates are publicly announced.

Superintendent applications are reviewed and screening questionnaires are completed by applicants.

Superintendent posting closes to applicants on the SouthWest Metro website. 

Superintendent posting opens to applicants on the SouthWest Metro website.