Searching for More School Superintendents
Certainly there are plenty of experienced educators who are capable
of filling the role of school superintendent. So how come it seems no one
is interested?
Insiders report that higher demands are being placed on the shoulders of
the superintendent. High turnover has created several openings across North
America just waiting to be filled by strong leaders with visions for change.
"The superintendent has a dual role of chief executive officer and chief
educational officer," says Greg Thomas. He is a superintendent and the central
director of an organization for school superintendents.
"The superintendent is viewed as the single employee of the board, with
all other employees being answerable to [him or her]," says Thomas.
Superintendents know well the responsibilities that come with their job
title. And most are comfortable with them. Still, a frustrating trend is occurring.
"The job has become more difficult. High-stakes accountability places the
job of the superintendent and the school principal in jeopardy if test scores
don't go up. Yet no new authority has been handed to those individuals," says
Bob Wells. He is the executive director of the Association of California School
Administrators.
"Further," he says, "very few additional resources have been provided.
So we've seen increased turnover and fewer applicants for these jobs."
An article in Education Week says that in big cities, the average tenure
of superintendents is just 28 months.
Peg Portscheller is the executive director of the Colorado Association
of School Executives. "There is already quite a shortage of administrators
in Colorado, and it is predicted to deepen," she says.
Until more educators are willing to take that giant step forward into the
superintendent role, the shortage trend may continue for some time.
"The jobs have to become more doable," says Wells. "Or salaries need to
increase dramatically, so that the reward is [equal to] the risk. Either one
of those solutions, or a combination of the two, will take several years to
put in place."
Most superintendents are teachers who have climbed up the ranks to principal
or other leadership positions. Most hold a master's or doctorate degree, says
Ken Dropko. He is a superintendent.
"I believe a superintendent should be someone who understands [teaching],
and understands kids and staff," says Dropko. He also says that leadership
needs to be nurtured in teachers. That way, more will be prepared for possible
superintendency.
The teachers' magazine, Aviso, says that educators can demonstrate their
leadership skills in many ways. They can become involved in curriculum development,
lead peer helper groups, sit on school advisory councils and contribute to
local union organization.
Thomas believes that anyone thinking of becoming a superintendent must:
- Have classroom and principal experience
- Have public relations and people skills
- Enjoy working with the public, parents and students
- Be willing to work effectively in areas not defined as clearly right or
wrong
- Be able to work with the media, and value being in the public eye
- Be able to make decisions and stand by them
- Be able to resolve disputes
- Be able to develop successful hiring practices
- Be able to manage a team environment
"There are lots of opportunities coming forward," says Dropko. "The time
is right for people to make an impact on public education."
And there are also rich personal rewards. The superintendents surveyed
said that their work was challenging, rewarding and gratifying, especially
in building curricula, helping students and contributing to society. And superintendents
can earn nearly $156,000 yearly -- good pay in the field of education.
It will take some changes before educators go running for top leadership
positions. But right now, opportunities have never been better for people
with strong leadership skills and a great vision for the future of public
school education.
Links
American Association of School Administrators
Includes salary stats for school superintendents
Education Week
Get the news from the world of education
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