Full Description
"I do not believe I have ever seen a guide that is so practical and current. I particularly liked the advice on communications, celebrations, board relationships, and community involvement. Those are the kinds of interpersonal gestures and activities that go beyond just following a checklist and are critical to the success of new and experienced superintendents."
—Brenda S. Dietrich, Superintendent
Auburn-Washburn School District, Topeka, KS
A practical planning tool with concrete tasks and tips for new or experienced superintendents!
Written by seven outstanding superintendents, this reflective calendar and planning journal helps superintendents address day-to-day concerns while keeping student achievement in perspective throughout the year. The authors give administrators a structured, goal-oriented look at the work ahead and highlight opportunities for organizational leadership.
Practical and hands-on, this planner takes superintendents from July through June and provides checklists, activities, and templates to foster responsibility, efficiency, and effectiveness. The authors present issues for reflection and action that include:
Maintaining effective communication
Monitoring program, curriculum, and achievement objectives
Building relationships within the educational community
Developing the budget
Coaching and mentoring
Planning ahead, establishing new goals, and facing unexpected events and challenges
The Superintendent's Planner offers beginning and veteran district leaders a fresh perspective and invaluable support for an increasingly complex and demanding role.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. Welcome to the Superintendency
Introduction
About the Book
From Us
2. July and August: Reflecting and Getting Ready for the New Year
Organizing and Preparing for the Year
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Family
Ensuring Schools Are Ready to Open
Reviewing Board Policies
Focusing on the Year Ahead
Speaking From Experience
3. September and October: Starting Smoothly and Settling In
Opening Year Communication
Staff Evaluation
School Board Elections
Showing Up
Speaking From Experience
4. November and December: Checking In and Celebrating Progress
Solidifying Board Relationships
Building Positive Board Communication
Monitoring the Current Budget
Monitoring Programs and Student Achievement Data
Assessing Facility Needs
Speaking From Experience
5. January and February: Taking Stock and Planning for Next Year
Developing a Long-Range Plan
Budget Forecasting for the Next Year
Reviewing the Curriculum and Establishing Goals
Communicating New Focus Areas and Priorities
Sharing the State of the District
Speaking From Experience
6. March and April: Staying Focused and Facing Challenges
Budget Planning
Planning for Facility Upgrades
Targeting Personnel Actions
Monitoring Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Testing Plans
Planning Board and Leadership Team Workshops and Retreats
Advances
Begin Evaluation of Administrative Staff
Speaking From Experience
7. May and June: Wrapping Up and Celebrating
Budget Adoption
Reviewing New Staff Hiring
Superintendent Evaluation
Debriefing With Board Members
Scheduling Attendance at Year-End Events for You and the Board Members
Planning Time for Handling Difficult Issues
Finalizing Summer Activities
Finalizing Plans for Next Year's Pre-Opening Activities
Reviewing the District Media and Communication Plan
Completing Summative Evaluations of the People Who Report to You
Preparing the Internal Meeting Calendar for Board and Senior Staff
Speaking From Experience
8. The Routine and Expected
Planning, Leading, and Attending to Meetings
Monitoring for Accountability
Establishing Relationships and Building Community
Building Internal Leadership Capacity
Speaking From Experience
9. Crises, the Unexpected, Caveats, and Musings
The Unexpected
But Then, There Are the Wonderful Things
A Word About You
Resource A: School Site Inspection
Resource B: Site Readiness Inspection Sheet
Resource C: Summary of School Inspections
Resource D: Key Actions Checklist
Resource E: Custodian School Inspection Sheet
Resource F: Playground Inspections
Resource G: Portable Building Inspections
Resource H: Human Resource Annual Calendar
Resource I: Meeting Schedule
Resource J: Administrator Evaluation Form
Resource K: Administrator Evaluation Process
Resource L: Budget Guidelines
Resource M: Budget Calendar
Resource N: Planned Priorities
Resource O: Organization Chart
Resource P: Information for Board Members
Resource Q: School District Responsibility Chart
Bibliography
Index
