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Achieving Success for New and Aspiring Superintendents
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Achieving Success for New and Aspiring Superintendents
A Practical Guide

First Edition


June 2012 | 328 pages | Corwin
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.

 
Foreword
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgements
 
About the Authors
 
1. Becoming a Superintendent
Getting Ready

 
The Application Process

 
Interviews

 
Site Visits

 
The Final Step: Your Contract

 
Summary

 
 
2. Transitioning to Your New District
Managing Your Transition

 
Addressing Personal Issues

 
Summary

 
 
3. Getting Started: Organizing to Lead
Scheduling for Success

 
Other Responsibilities

 
Summary

 
 
4. Moving the District Forward
Decision Making

 
Mastering the Budget

 
Improving Teaching and Learning

 
Goal Setting and Evaluation

 
Summary

 
 
5. Completing Year One, Planning Year Two: A Continuous Cycle
Determining Your Legacy Goals

 
Planning the Final Six Months of the School Year

 
Summary

 
 
6. Working With a School Board
The Basics

 
Communicating With the Board

 
Board Meetings

 
Summary

 
 
7. Working With Employee Groups
Establish Relationships

 
An Overview of Collective Bargaining

 
Issues Influencing Collective Bargaining

 
Summary

 
 
8. Negotiating Agreements
Getting Started

 
Organizing Negotiations

 
At the Table

 
Settling Compensation

 
Ratification and Next Steps

 
Summary

 
 
9. Communicating: Enhanced Decisions
Communicating With Parents and the Public

 
Working With the Media

 
Communicating With Staff and Students

 
Final Considerations

 
Summary

 
 
10. Looking Ahead
The Challenges

 
Summary

 
Final Thoughts

 
 
Resources
 
Index

"Throughout the book, the authors illustrate the complexities of the job and offer strategies in areas such as budgeting and conducting negotiations; communicating effectively with staff, the board, unions and the media; and honing leadership and organizational skills."

Courtney Williams
District Administration Magazine, March 2012
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Sample Materials & Chapters

Callan_Preface

Callan_Ch1


Mary Frances Callan

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... More About Author

William J. Levinson

William Levinson recently retired after serving twelve years as the superintendent of the Tamalpais Union High School District located in Marin County, California. Since retiring Levinson works with a national search firm and has conducted numerous superintendent searches. He provides coaching support to principals, aspiring and new superintendents, and nonprofit executive directors. He previously served eleven years as superintendent in three other California districts: Reed Union, Sonoma Valley and Lafayette. His earlier career included elementary teaching and principal positions in New York, New Jersey, and California. Levinson served... More About Author

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ISBN: 9781412988964
$47.95

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