The complex nature of a school district demands a unique relationship between the superintendent and the board president. Forging a positive relationship requires a special kind of navigational skill. The author draws lessons for doing so from David Hargreaves' classic 1975 book "Interpersonal Relations and Education". The author outlines some…

Education leaders make difficult ethical decisions each day. Using the story of a preschool director in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, the authors detail a series of paradigms to help educational leaders navigate rationally through challenging and complex circumstances when they are under considerable emotional stress. One approach which…

School districts that bid for insurance are able to compare coverages, service reputations, and costs. The five components of bid specifications--general instructions, conditions, program desired, underwriting data, and proposal forms--are explained. Model bid specifications and guidelines are included. (MLF)

Applies observations and advice by management guru Peter F. Drucker to the role of school system leaders. Topics include the customer as king, the continually changing definition of success, effective time management, the ethical dimension of decision making, and performance-based leadership (MLF)

Administrators can educate the community about the schools by (1) selling the values of public education, (2) explaining that schools exist to serve society, (3) linking anything involving education to the schools, and (4) beginning programs that allow the whole community to be the school's consumers. (MLF)

Lessons left out of the formal superintendents' education include handling the school board; working with micromanagers; dealing with the once-a-month expert; communicating with parents; and keeping fit. (MLF)