ADVICE FOR NEW SUPERINTENDENTS

Sul Ross State UniversityED 7308The SuperintendencyFall 2011

Casey BurkhartDarren ColeJackie McNewTommy Denise MendozaGeorge C. Thomas

Steps to a Smooth Transition

Communicate Early and Often

• Set up communication protocols with the school board through the school board president

• Identify and communicate with key players in the community and district

• Identify what is important to school board members, educators, parents, community members and tax payers

Do Your Homework

• Research school district data

• Assess and monitor curriculum, instruction and academic efforts

• Develop and be actively involved in a district level instructional plan

Don’t Make Hasty Changes

• Always keep your school board informed

• Don’t move too quickly in making decisions

• Do your research and know your facts

• Get to know your community

Get Out and About in the Community

• Get to know the members in your community (teachers, students, parents, etc)

• Build relationships

• Make sure you are visible, don’t hide behind your desk

• Join at least one service organization within your community

District Finances

• Audit district finances immediately

• Report discrepancies and make it theirs, not yours

• Delayed financial finding will be on you

• Forecasting budgets is an exact science

MENTOR NETWORK

• Make sure you maintain your own mentor network

• Asking for advice is a strength

• You need to have a small circle of mentors who you can ask anything

• There is safety in the multitude of council

$ FINANCE $

•Learn all you can about the money/finances of the district quickly

•Student achievement is the main focus, but it takes money to run the school

•You don’t want to make mistakes here

Be visible at schools and school activities

•All stakeholder expect to see their superintendent at their schools and at their activities

•Support all programs to indicate that they are important in your eyes

•The first six months are crucial

ONE TARGET IN MIND

•Develop a game plan for solving at least one major issue in your first year

•Make progress & openly share, collaborate, and join key stakeholders - Staff, Parents, Community & Local Agencies

Develop three non-negotiables and verbalize them

• What do you stand for

• What are your goals

• Each year choose no more than 3 to 4 goals

• Focus on the goals whenever you speak as not to give conflicting messages

• Set goals and expectations for your administrative staff

Key Points to Keep in Mind:• Your administrative staff will make or break you

• Surround yourself with superior, trustworthy, loyal and dedicated administrators

• Monitor, Monitor, Monitor! Keep all goals in check regularly

• Address what hasn’t been accomplished & provide continuous feedback (good & bad)

Goal Setting

Don’t forget your own professional development

• Maintain membership in professional organizations

• Attend workshops and conferences

• Participate in webinars

• Network and meet with fellow superintendents

QUOTES

• “Concept without an implementation plan or process will equate to chaos,” Dr. Jimmy Vasquez – Executive Director Region 19 Service Center

• “The main thing is the main thing,” Stephen Covey

• “Always keep your eye on why you are there, education. Too many people get caught up in what is in it for me,” Dr. Jimmy Vasquez

• “Hire the right people for the job,” Dr. Jimmy Vasquez

• “There is nothing more unfair than the equal treatment of unequals,”Thomas Jefferson

• Advice for New Superintendents DARRELL G. FLOYD

– Floyd is superintendent of schools in Stephenville, Texas, and is also a superintendent search consultant.

• Timeless advice for new leadersExecutive Leadership on October 4, 2008 9:30am

Leaders & Managers,Workplace

Matters

REFERENCES