Increasingly, districts are using deferred compensation arrangements as part of the superintendent's total compensation package. Superintendents can fund such plans by purchasing tax-deferred annuities or single-premium life insurance policies. The latter seems a better plan for both the school board and the superintendent's family. (MLH)

Some superintendents and school board members tout early retirement plans as a way to reduce school personnel costs and offer attractive employee benefit at the same time. However, such plans are not always a sound idea. Potential benefits depend on a district's financial outlook, its staffing structure, and its goals for students. (MLH)

When interviewed about school personnel's serious misconduct incidents, 50 superintendents indicated they case managed the incidents, mindful of due process. Comparisons were made with a previous study of principals. Results suggested that institutional organizations theory's blanket emphasis on ritualistic legitimation, the logic of confidence,…

Three rural district superintendents were asked to share their thoughts about managing rural school systems. Generally, rural superintendents must have wide-ranging educational interests, stay informed of current research, be actively involved in curriculum development, stretch scarce resources, and deal effectively with diverse personalities and…

Intelligent, abrasive, and combative, Baltimore County School Superintendent Stuart Berger is committed to fighting hard for change. Charged with implementing the district's ambitious educational objectives, Berger has pushed for all-day kindergartens, school breakfast programs, an office of family services, improved middle school programs, and a…

Under restructuring, the roles and responsibilities of upperlevel school executives and middle managers are rapidly shifting. Districts are creating new job titles, and central-office personnel find themselves competing with outside contractors. Superintendents can help by creating a trusting environment, giving staff a sense of mission, showing…

Advises school superintendents who sit at the negotiating table to develop personal detachment and remain quiet if the session is open to the public. Quotes several collective bargaining experts who say school boards are courting disaster if they allow superintendents to negotiate with teacher unions. (MLF)

Drawing on relevant literature and a qualitative study of 13 women superintendents, this article explains why an ethic of care is essential. Many women in positions of power use a collaborative, social-production model because they are uncomfortable with a social-control model and because they believe relationships are important. Study…

In New Mexico, 18 out of 89 school districts are on the four-day school week. So are many rural Colorado, Oregon, and Colorado schools. Implemented as a fiscal last resort, this schedule has had unexpected educational benefits for districts. Attendance has improved and student achievement on standardized tests remains stable. (MLH)

Explores the relationship between superintendent leadership and school districts' organizational culture, based on case studies of three successful Pennsylvania districts. Identifies leadership characteristics shared by these superintendents: espousing child- centered values; modeling district beliefs and values; and attending to educational…

School boards can learn some lessons from effective teacher evaluation and from teachers' judgment of student performance. Under a "rubric" approach, the board determines specific district goals and bases the superintendent's evaluation on whether he or she is leading the system in that direction. Board feedback is essential. (MLH)

Researchers surveyed 25 members of the Superintendency Institute of America concerning feasible strategies for building and maintaining a positive and trusting superintendent/board relationship. Respondents highlighted building trust, maintaining focus, communicating effectively, teaching the board, and being politically savvy as ingredients for…

Studied perceived and actual leadership of five school district superintendents in California who focused on curriculum and instruction as the core technology of education. Identified four attributes superintendents thought were essential to their success as instructional leaders. Responses of principals and school board members to a questionnaire…

Considers three broad, interconnected types of literacy: alphabetic (text-based), representational, and tool. Teachers can help support literacy for learning regardless of the medium--print, visual, video, audio, or electronic. School leaders can define and develop a literacy-for-learning mission by taking five strategic steps. Contains 13…

Whether from frustration, ambition, or financial necessity, administrators are inclined to say "yes" when private companies come calling. Sometimes superintendents initiate contacts themselves and begin new careers as well-credentialed salespeople or behind-the-scenes think tanks. At the Edison Project, former superintendents work in…