The School Superintendent

Covers how to become a superintendent and be successful at it and presents a personal view of the superintendency. This down-to-earth book is intended for use in graduate education classes on the superintendency. Both practicing and aspiring superintendents should find it useful.

ABOUT THE INFORMANT Ed Noyce, the informant or subject of this field study, was the Superintendent of the Wapiti Falls School District in 1994. Pseudonyms are used throughout his story, but he is real and so are the people, events, and locations herein. Why Ed Noyce? Ed was identified by an expert panel as an effective school superintendent. Asked for his comments, the real Ed Noyce wrote: “I am also grateful to those staff members, school board members, and others who agreed to participate. It can be quite threatening to have an unknown observer attending meetings at which private feelings and opinions are being shared. Yet, to the best of my recollection, no one showed even the slightest hesitation having an unknown observer recording their every move. The researcher deserves much credit for the way he managed to put others at ease.” ABOUT THE ETHNOLOGY Naturalistic observations were collected, digested, collated, and curated to provide a cultural portrait. The purpose was to better understand superintendent leadership. Three key attributes common to all leaders—spending sufficient time on the job, focusing on key attributes of the organization’s mission, and respecting the individuals serving within the organization— were used and individualized for our informant. Everyday encounters are described in detail. Follow along as Ed applied his core strengths and attributes in leading district staff, students, elected officials, and community. Leadership strategies are enumerated and validated in two case studies. In one, Ed and his district faced a crisis which tested elected officials, teachers, administrators, and finally Ed. Inner strengths were revealed; strengths attributed to work-life balance. Leadership will always be complex. Hence no all-encompassing theory of leadership will be offered. In this cultural portrait the premises held to be true are threefold: watch, reflect, improve.

The School Superintendent: Theory, Practice, and Cases is the essential guide to succeeding as a superintendent or as an administrator in another district-level position. Comprehensive in both theory and practice, this textbook and reference guide examines the role and responsibilities of school district administration in professional, social, philosophical, and political frames, while balancing perspectives of rewards and challenges commonly expressed by school superintendents. Important topics covered include the emerging role of superintendent as communicator, the changing conditions in districts and schools, inadequate funding for public schools, and the treatment of policy administration, leadership roles, and community involvement. Fully updated, the Third Edition provides: greater emphasis on the challenges facing novice superintendents; new material on strategic planning and visioning; new and expanded coverage of contemporary issues such as inadequate district funding and social challenges; additional figures, tables, key terms, and other helpful learning tools; and more.

An impossible job? That's what many have called the superintendency. With its growing and completing demands, it is a profession that can baffle even the most knowledgeable and well prepared. Public education resources have become more limited. There are new national and state testing requirements. Social issues are pulled into the schools and want more control over their operation. Add in politics and bureaucracy, and the end result is quite an unmanageable scenario. Unfortunately, more superintendents seem to be leaving the profession. Whether it is because of the demands superintendents face, the quality of preparation programs or a combination of both, the trend is a growing concern. Many superintendents are unprepared to deal with what they may encounter in running a school district. Yet the office is not all doom and gloom. Offering opportunities that are unavailable in many other careers, the superintendency is a position in which you will be taken seriously by others. And it is a profession in which one person, through skilled leadership, can make a difference by getting everyone to pull together and create a better environment for students. Surveys actually have shown that most superintendents would become superintendents again if they had the chance.

The School Superintendent: Theory, Practice, and Cases is both a textbook and reference for practitioners.

"The authors fill a gap in the literature by providing a practical, experience-based look at how superintendents should approach the most important relationship in their professional lives. Working effectively with school boards is what it is all about, and this book shows you how." -Paul D. Houston, Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators "This book provides practical insights and useful ideas to help district leaders who are serious about keeping the educational interest of children first among their priorities." -Pedro A. Noguera, Professor, New York University "Clearly lays out the important role the superintendent has in leading the district in partnership with the board of education. This book is well worth the time of every current and aspiring superintendent and school board member!" -Anne Bryant, Executive Director, National School Boards Association "This book is a useful tool in building district governance teams. The authors′ collective wisdom provides valuable insight for superintendents and school board members." -Luan B. Rivera, President, California State Boards Association "A wonderful, clear, and jargon-free primer on how to be a successful superintendent. This book is must reading for superintendents and a real plus for school boards." -Dede Alpert, Former California State Senator, Former Member, California State Assembly "An outstanding fieldbook for those interested in down-to-earth strategies for navigating the complexities of providing leadership in school districts." -General Davie, Jr., Retired Superintendent of Schools Foster a strong superintendent-school board relationship centered on quality teaching and learning! Effective Superintendent-School Board Practices helps current and future superintendents and school board members develop an effective governance team that prioritizes quality teaching and learning. Designed for practicing and aspiring superintendents and school board members, this exceptional book relates the everyday experiences and challenges faced by this important district team. Combining 84 years of service as superintendents in urban, rural, and suburban school districts, the authors offer: Real-life vignettes that highlight problems, successes, key points, and useful practices Indispensable information on building relationships, creating a team, managing conflict, and staying focused on the mission and priorities of the district Reflective practice questions and self-assessments throughout This rich resource offers knowledge, skills, and strategies to teach and inspire current and future leaders, based on the experiences of practitioners who have learned what works and what doesn′t, leaving valuable time to focus on student achievement.

An impossible job? That's what many have called the superintendency. With its growing and completing demands, it is a profession that can baffle even the most knowledgeable and well prepared. Public education resources have become more limited. There are new national and state testing requirements. Social issues are pulled into the schools and want more control over their operation. Add in politics and bureaucracy, and the end result is quite an unmanageable scenario. Unfortunately, more superintendents seem to be leaving the profession. Whether it is because of the demands superintendents face, the quality of preparation programs or a combination of both, the trend is a growing concern. Many superintendents are unprepared to deal with what they may encounter in running a school district. Yet the office is not all doom and gloom. Offering opportunities that are unavailable in many other careers, the superintendency is a position in which you will be taken seriously by others. And it is a profession in which one person, through skilled leadership, can make a difference by getting everyone to pull together and create a better environment for students. Surveys actually have shown that most superintendents would become superintendents again if they had the chance.