The School Superintendent The Profession and

Covers how to become a superintendent and be successful at it and presents a personal view of the superintendency. This down-to-earth book is intended for use in graduate education classes on the superintendency. Both practicing and aspiring superintendents should find it useful.

James K. Walter is professor of educational administration at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi.

Preface

xi

Acknowledgments

xiii

A Historical Look at the Superintendency (and the Board of Education)

1

(24)

Introduction

1

(1)

Historical Perspective

1

(4)

The Legal Authority of School Boards

5

(5)

Debates about School Boards

10

(5)

The Role of the Superintendent

15

(2)

The Tenuous Nature of the Superintendency

17

(2)

What's Right about the Superintendency?

19

(2)

Summary

21

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

21

(1)

Suggested Classroom Activities

22

(1)

References

23

(2)

Getting the Superintendency

25

(34)

Introduction

25

(1)

Searching for the Job

25

(3)

Applying for the Superintendency

28

(4)

The Papers

32

(7)

Interviewing for the Superintendency

39

(7)

The Superintendent's Contract

46

(7)

Female Superintendents

53

(1)

Conclusion

54

(1)

Summary

55

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

56

(1)

Suggested Classroom Activities

56

(1)

References

57

(1)

Notes

57

(2)

Leadership, Ethics, and Decision Making

59

(38)

Introduction

59

(1)

Leadership Styles

59

(1)

Classical Organization Theory

60

(1)

Human Relations Theory and Behavioral Science Theory

61

(1)

McGregor's Theories

61

(2)

Transactional and Transformational Leadership

63

(1)

Decision Making and the Superintendency

64

(1)

Decision Making and Problem Solving

65

(1)

Models of Decision Making

66

(9)

Problems with the Rational Model

75

(3)

Satisficing Behavior

78

(1)

Garbage Can Model

78

(1)

Types of Decisions

79

(2)

Individual and Group Decision Making

81

(3)

Participatory Decision Making

84

(4)

Group Decision-Making Techniques

88

(1)

Ethics in School Administration

89

(2)

Conclusion

91

(1)

Summary

92

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

92

(1)

References

93

(4)

Developing the Administrative Team

97

(14)

Introduction

97

(1)

Administrative Teams or Cabinets

97

(2)

Insider Information

99

(2)

Timing for Meetings

101

(1)

To Go or Not to Go

102

(2)

Evaluation of Central Staff and Principals

104

(2)

Task Forces

106

(1)

Standing Committees

106

(2)

Summary

108

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

108

(1)

References

109

(1)

Notes

109

(2)

Dealing with the Board of Education: The Superintendent-School Board Relationship

111

(26)

Introduction

111

(1)

The Role of the School Board

111

(2)

The Role of the Superintendent

113

(1)

Problems in the Relationship

113

(5)

Evaluation of the Superintendent and the Board

118

(1)

School Board Meetings

119

(5)

The Board Policy Manual

124

(2)

Public and Executive Board Meetings

126

(3)

Conclusion

129

(1)

Summary

130

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

130

(1)

Suggested Classroom Activities

131

(3)

References

134

(3)

Superintendent--School Board President Relationships

137

(8)

Introduction

137

(1)

Strong Leadership Is a Must

137

(1)

Roles and Responsibilities of the Effective Board President

138

(1)

Superintendent's Involvement with the Board and Board President Selection

139

(3)

Duties of a Board President

142

(1)

Summary

143

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

143

(2)

Dealing with the Union (and Negotiations)

145

(10)

Introduction

145

(1)

The Role of the Superintendent in Collective Bargaining

145

(2)

Hints for the Superintendent as Board Negotiator

147

(3)

Working with the Union Outside Negotiations

150

(1)

Grievances and Arbitrations

151

(2)

Summary

153

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

153

(1)

References

154

(1)

The Superintendent as Public Relations Expert

155

(14)

Introduction

155

(1)

Dealing with School Patrons

155

(4)

Promoting Good Internal Relations

159

(3)

Visitors to the School

162

(1)

Parents and Community Members at Board Meetings

163

(1)

Written Communications with the Public

164

(1)

Interacting with the Community

165

(1)

Summary

166

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

167

(1)

References

168

(1)

The Role of the Superintendent as Business Manager

169

(18)

Introduction

169

(1)

Your Role when You Are the Business Manager

169

(1)

Your Role when You Have a Business Manager

170

(1)

Duties of the Business Office

171

(3)

The Budget

174

(1)

The Budgetary Process

175

(3)

Accounting for School Funds

178

(1)

Purchasing Supplies and Equipment

178

(1)

Maintenance of Buildings and Grounds

179

(1)

The Personnel Role in the Business Office

180

(2)

Insurance and Other Business Areas

182

(1)

Summary

183

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

183

(2)

References

185

(2)

The Father Flanagan Syndrome, or Tales People Have Told Me

187

(8)

Introduction

187

(1)

Good Listening Is Part of Administration

187

(2)

Personal Crises

189

(1)

Coping with Other People's Problems

190

(1)

Dealing with That Which You Really Don't Know

190

(1)

Dealing with the Little Things in Life

191

(1)

Summary

191

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

192

(3)

Dealing with Spouse and Family: One Superintendent's Viewpoint

195

(8)

Introduction

195

(1)

From the Superintendent's Point of View

195

(1)

My Wife Doesn't Understand Me

196

(1)

Find Other Superintendents

196

(1)

The Buck Still Stops Here

197

(1)

Shielding the Children

198

(1)

Skinned and Roasted

199

(1)

Summary

200

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

200

(3)

Dealing with Spouse and Family: From the Spouse's Point of View

203

(16)

Introduction

203

(1)

Helen M. Sharp

203

(8)

Discussion between Helen Sharp and Deborah Walter

211

(4)

Discussion Questions for Students

215

(2)

Reference

217

(2)

Keeping Your Bags Packed---Psychologically

219

(14)

Introduction

219

(1)

Don't Take It Personally

219

(2)

``Reasons'' for Dismissal

221

(1)

Telltale Warning Signs of Imminent Danger

222

(3)

Investing in Yourself

225

(2)

Get a Job When You Have a Job

227

(1)

The Health of the Superintendency

228

(2)

Summary

230

(1)

Discussion Questions for Students

230

(2)

References

232

(1)

Afterword

233

(2)

Appendix A: Any Similarity between My Job and Dad's Is Pure Coincidence

235

(6)

Appendix B: Site-Based Management: Practice, Not Theory

241

(6)

Appendix C: Site-Based Management: A Practical Guide

247

(6)

Appendix D: The Health of the School Superintendency

253

(8)

Index

261

(4)

About the Authors

265

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The School Superintendent The Profession and the Person

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials