Reviews the present perceptions of interest group structure and function. Suggests ways that superintendents and school districts can best cope with and utilize interest groups without manipulating them. (Author/GC)

Offers suggestions for superintendents to follow to involve community leaders, enlist professional assistance, keep the public informed, and work through established school-based groups in seeking successful passage of a bond issue. (Author/WD)

Outlines areas in which female board members and male superintendents often have communication difficulties. Lists seven steps male superintendents can take to help female board members feel more a part of the governing process. (IRT)

Describes a survey of public school administrators designed to determine the extent and depth of their attitudes, knowledge and concepts about reading programs. (MKM)

A review of the literature and questionnaire responses shows that superintendents who successfully meet the challenge of school desegregation assess the situation of each school, provide for communication, focus on potential student benefits, and demonstrate personal commitment. (Author/MLF)

An outline of how to set and attend to priorities as a newly appointed assistant superintendent. (MLF)

Observations of superintendents indicate that, within the plethora of tasks and activities, the hectic variety of demands and contacts of their jobs, the superintendents cope with rather than organize their time schedules. Still, the superintendents seem to attend to the most vital activities. (Author/IRT)

The perceived role of the school board is changing drastically from that of the relatively passive corporate board of directors role to that of the aggressive legislative body. (Author/IRT)

A Waconia, Minnesota superintendent involved in constructing a new high school found that designing a successful music suite depended on building community support, understanding the music suite's special needs, and managing compromise and communication. A participative planning process allowed considerable input on decisions concerning acoustics,…

Explores compensation practices fundamental to the school board/employee exchange relationship, using a sample of 615 midwestern superintendents. Employs an organizational justice model, focusing on its procedural and distributive dimensions. Explores procedural justice via market-rate earnings equations and distributive justice by examining…

Beset with rising costs and inequity problems, Greensboro City, High Point City, and Guilford County districts merged to become North Carolina's third largest district, with 59,000 students. Although the superintendent had to downsize staff, eliminate special-interest programs, and refashion summer school, the merger yielded wider community…

Search committees should evaluate each candidate for the superintendency on the basis of 10 risk factors: (1) spouse with a career; (2) children in high school; (3) home ownership; (4) unfamiliarity with the community; (5) salary equal to or less than current compensation; (6) high-cost area; (7) candidate or spouse in school; (8) unattractive job…

Examines the competencies required by superintendents to lead schools in diverse cultural settings. Methodology included interviews with 12 multicultural education experts, participation of 14 "expert" superintendents, and written responses. Findings revealed considerable agreement between experts and superintendents concerning these…

Superintendent in West Chester County, New York, describes her experiences teaching fifth-grade students research and writing skills while continuing to serve as superintendent of schools. (PKP)

Exploratory study uses components found in social-influence theory and social style to examine the school board presidents' perceptions of the district superintendent's ability to influence the construction of the board agenda and voting decisions made by school boards in 131 randomly chosen school districts. (Contains 106 references.)…