The authors of this book wrote it for those aspiring to be superintendents, those new to the position and those completing their second or third year and who are looking to the future.
What makes their approach unique is the belief that talented people who aspire to be superintendents are far more likely to accomplish that goal and achieve success on the job if they understand the totality of the position. School districts are complex organizations. Providing effective leadership to these organizations requires mastery of a wide array of leadership and organizational skills. Aspiring superintendents with vision and motivation who understand the inherent challenges of the position have a great advantage over those who do not.
The book's goal is to provide readers with this advantage. This is why the book covers the full cycle of the first superintendent position: preparation, application and transition, the challenges of the first few years, and the decision to stay or move to another position. Aspiring and new superintendents who read the book will learn about the full range of skills and knowledge needed to succeed. They will be better prepared to be effective superintendents.
Mary Frances Callan recently retired after serving the last fourteen years of her career as superintendent of schools in Milpitas, Pleasanton and Palo Alto, California. She now coaches aspiring and new superintendents, assists with superintendent searches, and is co-developing a curriculum to train aspiring and new superintendents. Earlier in her career she was a teacher, counselor, and administrator in a number of states as well as overseas. Callan also serves on boards including the school board of ICA Cristo Rey, the Board of Regents of Santa Clara University, and the Keenan Health Advisory Board. Among other writings, she has co-authored publications including two handbooks for Phi Delta Kappa's Exemplary Practices Series, Staff Development and Organization Development, and a book published by McGraw Hill, Containing the Health Care Cost Spiral.
ForewordPrefaceAcknowledgementsAbout the Authors1. Becoming a Superintendent Getting Ready The Application Process Interviews Site Visits The Final Step: Your Contract Summary2. Transitioning to Your New District Managing Your Transition Addressing Personal Issues Summary3. Getting Started: Organizing to Lead Scheduling for Success Other Responsibilities Summary4. Moving the District Forward Decision Making Mastering the Budget Improving Teaching and Learning Goal Setting and Evaluation Summary5. Completing Year One, Planning Year Two: A Continuous Cycle Determining Your Legacy Goals Planning the Final Six Months of the School Year Summary6. Working With a School Board The Basics Communicating With the Board Board Meetings Summary7. Working With Employee Groups Establish Relationships An Overview of Collective Bargaining Issues Influencing Collective Bargaining Summary8. Negotiating Agreements Getting Started Organizing Negotiations At the Table Settling Compensation Ratification and Next Steps Summary9. Communicating: Enhanced Decisions Communicating With Parents and the Public Working With the Media Communicating With Staff and Students Final Considerations Summary10. Looking Ahead The Challenges Summary Final ThoughtsResourcesIndex
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