ISD Superintendent Search: Your Voice Matters
The Independence School District Board of Education has named Dr. Vickie Murillo as the next ISD Superintendent, effective July 1, 2026.
The district partnered with the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) to conduct a comprehensive, nationwide search, which included public input.
Superintendent Announcement
January 27, 2025
Independence School District announces new superintendent
We are pleased to share that the Independence School District Board of Education, in a unanimous vote, has appointed Dr. Vickie Murillo as the next Superintendent of the Independence School District, effective July 1, 2026.
From the beginning of the search, the Board of Education sought input through surveys and community forums to guide the selection of our next leader. Thank you to all who provided thoughtful participation and partnership.
Dr. Murillo brings nearly 40 years of experience in the field of education, currently serving as Superintendent at Council Bluffs Community School District in Iowa, just outside Omaha, Nebraska, where she was recently named by Education Insider Magazine as one of the nation’s Top 10 Superintendents.
Most meaningful to Dr. Murillo is her deep, personal connection to Independence, the community where she grew up, making her return a “true homecoming and a point of pride.” Dr. Murillo and her family continue to have local ties and community connections here in Independence and the Kansas City metro.
The Independence School District Board of Education is confident that Dr. Murillo’s experience, vision, and commitment to students will guide the district through its next chapter of growth and success.
The Board of Education looks forward to working with Dr. Murillo as she prepares to lead the ISD. More information and opportunities to learn about Dr. Murillo will be shared in the coming months.
Dr. Vickie Murillo
Update on Superintendent Search
January 9, 2026
Independence School District Shares Update on Superintendent Search and Next Steps
The Independence School District is pleased to provide an update to students, staff, families, and community members regarding the ongoing search for the district’s next superintendent.
Working in partnership with the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA), the Board of Education has completed the initial application and review phase of the search. The district received a strong pool of 20+ applicants, reflecting significant interest in leadership opportunities within Independence School District. The candidate pool includes both in-state and out-of-state applicants, representing a diverse range of professional experiences, educational backgrounds, and leadership pathways.
Following a detailed review of applications, credentials, and experience summaries, the Board will move into the interview phase of the process. The next steps in the superintendent search include screening interviews with semifinalists on January 14th and finalist interviews on January 21.
In preparation for these interviews, the Board will finalize screening and formal interview questions, confirm interview teams, and continue reviewing candidate materials to ensure alignment with district priorities.
Additional updates will be shared with stakeholders as the search progresses. The Board looks forward to next steps in the search for the next Independence School District Superintendent and hopes to name a new leader by the end of the month as planned.
Stakeholder Survey Report published
November 11, 2025
MSBA presented to the ISD Board of Education at a Special Meeting on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in which the search firm presented a comprehensive report which summarized all of the responses to the Stakeholder Survey and feedback from the Community Input Forums.
"The ideal superintendent for ISD will be a strategic, compassionate, and visionary leader who:
-Combines strong fiscal management with innovative thinking
-Develops and empowers staff to reach their full potential,
-Leads with transparency, collaboration, and approachability -and-
-Builds a safe, inclusive, and future-focused school system that reflects community values and aspirations."Click the button below to download the full Stakeholder Survey Report, and watch the full Special Meeting here: https://youtu.be/3HYBV-dCtcs
Superintendent Job Posting Now Live
October 1, 2025
The Independence School District Board of Education has officially opened the search for our next Superintendent. The job posting is now live, and qualified candidates are invited to apply.
All application materials, position details, and timelines are available through the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) at: https://www.applitrack.com/msba/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?AppliTrackJobId=255&FromAdmin=True
We encourage interested candidates to review the posting and apply within the stated timeline.
ISD Community Input Forums
Your voice matters in shaping the future of our district! As part of the search for our next superintendent, we’re hosting community input forums to gather input from staff, families, students, and community members.
These sessions, facilitated by MSBA, are an opportunity to share what qualities, experiences, and priorities you believe are most important for our next leader. We are hosting one forum completely in Spanish, and ISD Interpreters will be at the others. Feedback from these forums will directly inform the Board of Education about what ISD stakeholders are looking for in our next leader.
JOIN US:
Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. - Bridger Middle School Cafeteria
Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. - Van Horn High School Cafeteria
Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7:00 p.m. - Van Horn High School Cafeteria (forum hosted in Spanish)
There are additional forums happening with the following groups:
- ITEA - Transportation union representatives
- IESP - Facilities union representatives
- ISD district leadership
- ISD school principals
- ISD high school students
- Members of the Independence Chamber of Commerce
- INEA - Teacher union representatives
- MSTA - Teacher union representatives
It is important to us to gather input from a wide range of groups with an interest in the future leadership of the ISD!
FAQs
- How will the community be involved?
- Who makes the final decision?
- Will there be public interviews of finalists?
- When will the new superintendent start?