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.)…

Tells efforts by Pearland Independent School District (Texas) school board and superintendent to adopt a standardized dress code, an effort that led to student and community opposition and controversy. Describes lessons learned. (PKP)

Examines the perceptions of superintendents and school board members in Pennsylvania with regard to state academic standards and standardized test. Finds that superintendents and school board members differ in their knowledge of standards, the ideological position they take on testing, and the degree to which they believe testing has been…

The executive director of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association offers seven steps to "shore up" school administrators' leadership skills. States that mobilizing people to tackle tough problems is what good leaders do. (Contains 10 references.) (MLF)

Principal describes efforts to divide a large urban high school into five small schools. Finds considerable gap between the theory and practice of school redesign. Reflects on the dilemmas and collisions between theory and practice encountered when dealing with the students, the faculty, the parents, the central office, and the school committee.…

Describes a case study of a rural school district in which conflicting superintendent, school board, and community values led to the superintendent's dismissal, which led to the defeat of the board members. Analyzes the course of events in terms of the dissatisfaction theory of democracy. (FMW)

Battered by adversarial negotiation approaches, an assistant superintendent decided to work with a facilitator, focus on issues, and build trust and honesty into joint meetings. Living in harmony, using one's ears, setting a nice table, stemming rumors, knowing when to stop, and celebrating are essential. A sidebar outlines five steps to…