The Leadership Role of the Superintendent in a Time of Change and Scarce Resources

The Leadership Role of the Superintendent in a Time of Change and Scarce Resources PDF Author: Jerome D. Steele
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Educational leadership
Languages : en
Pages : 164

Get Book Here

Book Description
School district reorganization has been an ongoing process in New York state as well as many other states for more than a century. Since 2007 two New York State Commissioners have made recommendations regarding the further consolidation of school districts to provide relief for taxpayers as well as greater efficiency. Given the economic climate as well as the call for schools to consolidate, school superintendents and boards of education may need to consider the options of school district merger or annexation to address these issues as they lead their districts through these difficult times. This study explored the system level leadership issues associated with leading and managing in a time of scarce resources. With reorganization as an option available to school districts in New York state and using Kotter's eight steps for long-term change as a lens, a qualitative analysis was conducted focusing on three reorganizational efforts that occurred in New York state during the past ten years. Methods of inquiry included interviews of superintendents and members of the board of education. Public documents were also studied to gain greater understanding of the reorganization effort in each of the selected districts. The data collected were useful in determining the extent to which the leadership role of the superintendent affects these reorganization efforts. The three reorganization efforts selected for this research were significant as each was unique and different. In each case, the size of the districts fit a pattern of one small district with an enrollment of between 200 and 500 students paired with a larger district with an enrollment from 800 to 1000 students. All the districts researched were in rural New York State. Two of the efforts were annexations and the third was a proposed merger. The leadership roles of the superintendent and boards of education were important throughout the process. At least one of the superintendents in each of the these studies played a pivotal role before, during, and after the reorganization. One of the findings focuses on the role of students in this process. In two of the efforts, students were instrumental in helping the district through the period of transition. System leaders in these districts worked with the students to pick new school colors and mascots. The effort was a unifying factor for the students of the two districts. The findings of this study are instructive for system leaders in school districts facing the issue of scarce resources. If school district leaders choose reorganization as an option to address these issues, then these leaders should consider using Kotter's change model as a framework for achieving this process. Merging two different school districts is one of the most significant changes that any district and community will encounter.

The Leadership Role of the Superintendent in a Time of Change and Scarce Resources

The Leadership Role of the Superintendent in a Time of Change and Scarce Resources PDF Author: Jerome D. Steele
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Educational leadership
Languages : en
Pages : 164

Get Book Here

Book Description
School district reorganization has been an ongoing process in New York state as well as many other states for more than a century. Since 2007 two New York State Commissioners have made recommendations regarding the further consolidation of school districts to provide relief for taxpayers as well as greater efficiency. Given the economic climate as well as the call for schools to consolidate, school superintendents and boards of education may need to consider the options of school district merger or annexation to address these issues as they lead their districts through these difficult times. This study explored the system level leadership issues associated with leading and managing in a time of scarce resources. With reorganization as an option available to school districts in New York state and using Kotter's eight steps for long-term change as a lens, a qualitative analysis was conducted focusing on three reorganizational efforts that occurred in New York state during the past ten years. Methods of inquiry included interviews of superintendents and members of the board of education. Public documents were also studied to gain greater understanding of the reorganization effort in each of the selected districts. The data collected were useful in determining the extent to which the leadership role of the superintendent affects these reorganization efforts. The three reorganization efforts selected for this research were significant as each was unique and different. In each case, the size of the districts fit a pattern of one small district with an enrollment of between 200 and 500 students paired with a larger district with an enrollment from 800 to 1000 students. All the districts researched were in rural New York State. Two of the efforts were annexations and the third was a proposed merger. The leadership roles of the superintendent and boards of education were important throughout the process. At least one of the superintendents in each of the these studies played a pivotal role before, during, and after the reorganization. One of the findings focuses on the role of students in this process. In two of the efforts, students were instrumental in helping the district through the period of transition. System leaders in these districts worked with the students to pick new school colors and mascots. The effort was a unifying factor for the students of the two districts. The findings of this study are instructive for system leaders in school districts facing the issue of scarce resources. If school district leaders choose reorganization as an option to address these issues, then these leaders should consider using Kotter's change model as a framework for achieving this process. Merging two different school districts is one of the most significant changes that any district and community will encounter.

The Contemporary Superintendent

The Contemporary Superintendent PDF Author: Meredith Mountford
Publisher: IAP
ISBN: 1641135263
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 271

Get Book Here

Book Description
What is (R)Evolutionary Leadership? Why Does it Matter? How can contemporary school district administrators, specifically superintendents, contend with so many difficult, and almost impossible competing commitments? Building on the definitions of revolution, revolutionary, evolution, and evolutionary, the notion of (R)Evolutionary Leadership emerged while discussing the need for school district leaders to push back against the status quo while improving teacher and leadership practices, improving student learning outcomes, engaging with the community, and ensuring decision making processes that include check and balance systems that are just, fair, and equitable for all. The chapters in this book introduce superintendents or research on superintendents in which these tenants were practiced; both in their ability to enact radical change by “overthrowing” the status quo – as well as evolutionary in their deliberate approach to viewing change as a process they can control over time. These leaders were willing to confront and defy practices and policies that were counter to student well-being and achievement while concurrently knowing how to reach their desired results. The chapters chosen for inclusion in this volume are those that offered a glimpse of these revolutionary tenants in practice. We ask that you consider this emerging concept as you explore the chapters of our book. You will find the (R)evolutionary Leaders you meet in the chapters know how to evolve, not just to stay alive, but to ensure the organization (school) remains relevant and vital to society. These leaders use their positional power, social capital, and expertise to advocate for policies and practices that are in the best interest of the school community and they innovate in ways that challenge the status quo. You will also find practices that are (R)Evolutionary and provide ways for leaders to innovate, collaborate, and simply take care of themselves and those around them. Our description does not seek to support or define or delineate the characteristics of a (R)Evolutionary Leader or how one might enact (R)Evolutionary Leadership–but serves as a way to (re)think the way we view the vastly complex work of school district administrators, specifically the superintendent. (R)Evolutionary leadership may change our ways of thinking about the significant advocacy role a superintendent can play in influencing both practice and policy to enact the change necessary to move forward issues of justice, equity, and quality in PK-12 schools and further to improve educational and social outcomes for those served.

Evolution of the Superintendent's Leadership Role

Evolution of the Superintendent's Leadership Role PDF Author: Jana Lynn Graves Rueter
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Educational change
Languages : en
Pages : 304

Get Book Here

Book Description
The position of the school superintendent as the primary school district leader is a position that, historically, has been a symbol of respect and authority in our nation's communities and social structure. The traditional role of the superintendent has evolved over time in response to various expectations, constraints, and a heightened level of responsibility in today's climate of accountability. The areas of governance operations, communication and public relations, and student performance accountability are three areas that have increased in importance due to the changing nature of public expectation. Research suggests that change is an inevitable factor in school district leadership, and the increased expectations that have developed have altered the state of the superintendency. Significant changes in the composition of the American communities have presented new challenges to school leaders. The skill set necessary to be a highly successful school leader has been affected by the changes shaping the modern superintendency. This treatise utilizes case study design to investigate how the role of the superintendent has changed over time. From the analysis of interviews, documents, and interactions, certain themes emerged. This study suggests that the role of the superintendent has changed over time in the areas of (1) governance operations, (2) communication and public relations, and (3) student performance accountability. Additionally, this study will examine how the evolution of the superintendency has affected the skill set necessary to be a highly successful school leader. This study will contribute to the literature in the field of leadership challenges in the modern superintendency as compared to the past.

Interdisciplinary Unsettlings of Place and Space

Interdisciplinary Unsettlings of Place and Space PDF Author: Sarah Pinto
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811367299
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 307

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book brings together researchers from different fields, traditions and perspectives to examine the ways in which place and space might (be) unsettle(d). Researchers from across the humanities and social sciences have been drawn to the study of place and space since the 1970s, and the term ‘unsettled’ has been an occasional but recurring presence in this body of scholarship. Though it has been used to invoke a range of meanings, from the dangerous to the liberating, the term itself has rarely been at the centre of sustained examination. This collection highlights the idea of the unsettled in the scholarly investigation of place and space. The respective chapters offer a dialogue between a diverse and eclectic group of researchers, crossing significant disciplinary and interdisciplinary boundaries in the process. The purpose of the collection is to juxtapose a range of different approaches to, and perspectives on, the unsettling of place and space. In doing so, Interdisciplinary Unsettlings of Place and Space makes an important contribution and offers new insights into how scholarship and research into different fields and practices may help us re-envision place and space.

The Superintendent and the CFO

The Superintendent and the CFO PDF Author: Brian L. Benzel
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1475847572
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 194

Get Book Here

Book Description
Building a strong relationship with the CFO is essential for superintendents seeking to build sustainable educational programs for all students. Benzel and Hoover use their CFO and superintendent experience to identify what current and future leaders in both roles need to know and be able to do with respect to fiscal leadership and improved student learning. This book emphasizes that a focus on student achievement must be central to fiscal planning. The authors discuss the role values play in forming the leadership team, how to create a climate for success through collaborative strategies and ways to build systems strength to cope with uncertainty in fiscal planning. Using this leadership base, they outline the key management elements that must be in place to assure sound fiscal practices that monitor fiscal status and manage cash flow to mitigate uncertainty. Benchmarks for organizational success enhance communication with governing boards, internal audiences and taxpayers. This second edition adds perspective about detecting and address fraud or embezzlement and shares leadership perspective on capital facility planning and management. This book provides leaders with an outline of what do during every quarter of the fiscal year to exercise effective fiscal and educational leadership.

The Modern School Superintendent

The Modern School Superintendent PDF Author: Marvin Edwards
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595408745
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 266

Get Book Here

Book Description
An impossible job? That's what many have called the superintendency. With its growing and completing demands, it is a profession that can baffle even the most knowledgeable and well prepared. Public education resources have become more limited. There are new national and state testing requirements. Social issues are pulled into the schools and want more control over their operation. Add in politics and bureaucracy, and the end result is quite an unmanageable scenario. Unfortunately, more superintendents seem to be leaving the profession. Whether it is because of the demands superintendents face, the quality of preparation programs or a combination of both, the trend is a growing concern. Many superintendents are unprepared to deal with what they may encounter in running a school district. Yet the office is not all doom and gloom. Offering opportunities that are unavailable in many other careers, the superintendency is a position in which you will be taken seriously by others. And it is a profession in which one person, through skilled leadership, can make a difference by getting everyone to pull together and create a better environment for students. Surveys actually have shown that most superintendents would become superintendents again if they had the chance.

The Modern School Superintendent

The Modern School Superintendent PDF Author: Marvin E. Edwards
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780595853922
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 268

Get Book Here

Book Description
An impossible job? That's what many have called the superintendency. With its growing and completing demands, it is a profession that can baffle even the most knowledgeable and well prepared. Public education resources have become more limited. There are new national and state testing requirements. Social issues are pulled into the schools and want more control over their operation. Add in politics and bureaucracy, and the end result is quite an unmanageable scenario. Unfortunately, more superintendents seem to be leaving the profession. Whether it is because of the demands superintendents face, the quality of preparation programs or a combination of both, the trend is a growing concern. Many superintendents are unprepared to deal with what they may encounter in running a school district. Yet the office is not all doom and gloom. Offering opportunities that are unavailable in many other careers, the superintendency is a position in which you will be taken seriously by others. And it is a profession in which one person, through skilled leadership, can make a difference by getting everyone to pull together and create a better environment for students. Surveys actually have shown that most superintendents would become superintendents again if they had the chance.

Superintendent Leadership

Superintendent Leadership PDF Author: Elaine L. Wilmore
Publisher: Corwin Press
ISBN: 1412955416
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 177

Get Book Here

Book Description
Written by leadership expert Elaine L. Wilmore, this ideal resource helps aspiring and practicing superintendents attain proficiency in the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) standards.

The Politics of Leadership

The Politics of Leadership PDF Author: George J. Petersen
Publisher: IAP
ISBN: 1607527480
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 216

Get Book Here

Book Description
The primary contribution of this book, is not its advocacy of a specific position but rather, its objective analysis of cogent topics. The content prompts us to consider governance in relation to quality education and to ponder alternative policy strategies that have yet to be fully evaluated. As a young doctoral student more than a few years ago, William Van Til, an eminent scholar and a mentor, reminded me almost daily that members of the education profession had a moral responsibility to address the most difficult questions about education and democracy. These enduring queries, he argued, extended to determining how this critical social service should be organized and controlled and to determining the appropriate roles for administrators and teachers. Those in our profession who fail to heed his advice by remaining indifferent to these philosophical dilemmas should consider Plato’s long-standing warning: “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

Rural Education History

Rural Education History PDF Author: Casey Thomas Jakubowski
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1666929948
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 161

Get Book Here

Book Description
Using case studies and an auto-ethnographic study of rural education history in New York State, Casey Thomas Jakubowski provides an introduction to recent events in state-level educational policy implementation. Rural Education History: State Policy Meets Local Implementation argues that rural communities are subjected to urbanormative policy, especially in their schools, and provides voice to an understudied phenomena in an under researched region. The chapters combine sociology, policy, and rich case studies to demonstrate the realities, and nearby history, in rural America.