Roughly 15% of U.S. elementary school principals are working under incentive or performance-pay contracts. Douglas County, Colorado's program, including teachers and administrators, has four components: outstanding performance, skills blocks, group incentive, and district responsibility pay. Bonuses can be major motivators. A sidebar details…

Risk-taking is a critical leadership factor neglected in educational literature. A four-year national study explored risk-taking in the narratives of 12 women superintendents. These women had life circumstances (community and challenge) and personal characteristics (courage and curiosity) that helped them relax and take risks. (60 references) (MLH)

Discusses four leadership roles for school superintendents to help teachers respond to increasing and often conflicting demands. These roles are (1) future interpreter and meaning maker to build an educational vision; (2) capacity builder to ensure student success; (3) collaboration builder both within and outside the district; and (4)…

Presents advice on how common sense, research, and good mentoring can be used to improve relationships between school superintendents and school board members. The need for clarity; timely, consistent, mutually-supportive communication; and trust are emphasized. (GR)

A superintendent-turned-CEO describes similarities and differences between his two careers. Both positions significantly shape the organization's strategic direction, focus on results, and require long hours and great intensity. As CEO, the author is rewarded only for making progress, moves the organization rapidly to address changing…

Major causes of "sudden-death syndrome" for superintendents include mismatched priorities, unseen problems, interference from special-interest groups, and misdirected disagreements. Beleaguered superintendents should be positive and proactive, act and speak as one person, understand agreements, seek help, listen, rewrite personnel…

"Resilience" is the capacity for moving ahead under adverse circumstances. School superintendents are advised to stay upbeat and mindful of "both-and" opportunities; stay focused on what they care about; remain flexible and tolerant of ambiguity; be proactive, not reactive; and apply resilience-conserving strategies during…

The prevalence of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was studied among school children in a mid-southern state. Responses of 128 of 311 school superintendents reveal that, overall, 3% of students are identified as ADHD, although in some districts as many as 25% have received this diagnosis. Implications of these findings are…

A Texas superintendent debunks six legislative advocacy myths. Actually, superintendents have more political clout than board members. They should work with legislators even when the state legislature is not in session, communicate effectively by telephone, work with "noninfluential" legislators, influence the state education…

A study to describe Ohio vocational education planning district (VEPD) superintendents' perceptions of their role in the marketing function and their perceptions of VEPD marketing effectiveness for secondary vocational education received a 97.9% response. Most had positive perceptions of their roles but were undecided about the effectiveness of…

Expresses the opinions of a Native American woman who is active in civic and school organizations about the role of the school superintendent, especially in schools with Native American children. This Lakota community worker views the quality of community as essential in redirecting the superintendent's role from "power over" to…

A study assessed gender discrimination in public sector salaries from more than 1,000 school districts in Texas over a 4-year period. Results show that differences in superintendents' salaries are subtle rather than systematic. Female superintendents who replace male superintendents receive lower compensation. Local district wealth is also a…

Discusses methods that school superintendents can use to manage technology issues in their schools beyond traditional delegation. Highlights include participation more than delegation to a technology coordinator; identifying the right problems; determining what to make and what to buy; and the need for continual technology funding. (LRW)

Interviews with superintendents of eight charter-school districts in four states: California, Florida, Georgia, and New Mexico. Describes advantages and disadvantages. Includes a list (with website addresses) of all current charter-school districts. (PKP)

Georgia superintendent describes the process and benefits of his district becoming a charter-school district. (PKP)