The head of North Idaho’s largest school district could be headed to a new job.

Coeur d’Alene district Superintendent Shon Hocker interviewed this week for a similar post in Pueblo, Colo., the Coeur d’Alene Press reported Wednesday.

“I understand that news of my candidacy for a position with another district may come as a surprise and possibly a disappointment to you,” Hocker said in a letter to district staff, obtained by the Press Tuesday. “My decision to explore this opportunity came after much reflection and conversation with my family. … Together we determined that this opportunity was worth further exploration, although the idea of leaving Coeur d’Alene and no longer working with you makes it very difficult.”

Hocker has been Coeur d’Alene’s superintendent since 2021. He is the fourth highest-paid school administrator in the state, with a salary of $195,758.

The district is facing a possible $4.6 million shortfall. As Idaho EdNews reported earlier this week, trustees are considering several moves to balance the books — such as closing a school, scaling back to half-day kindergarten and selling a district office valued at $1.5 million to $2 million.