Achieving Success for New and Aspiring Superintendents: A Practical Guide / Edition 1

by Mary Frances Callan, William J. Levinson

Overview

This comprehensive how-to guide for aspiring and new superintendents provides examples and covers the full range of topics from preparation through strategic planning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412988964
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	11/10/2010
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	309
Sales rank:	701,512
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

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 Mc Graw Hill, Containing the Health Care Cost Spiral.

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 as a Vista Volunteer in Florida where he founded an after-school language development program for migrant laborer children using college students as tutors. Throughout his long career Bill has presented workshops assisting teachers and administrators to further their careers.

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

"'Achieving Success' is a vital resource to ensure success as a superintendent. My copy has become a workbook filled with highlights, notes and worn pages as I frequently refer to it for planning, board relations, goal setting, and negotiations. It is the one resource I refer to for practical guidance. "

Bruce Burns

"This is a great resource for aspiring and experienced superintendents. There are many practical ideas educational leaders can use immediately to become more effective. "

Fred Mahary

"The authors have created an excellent resource, providing an overview of the most critical aspects one will encounter during the first three years in the job. The book is a collection of practical ideas written in an engaging style. "

George Manthey

"This book provides valuable information for aspiring and new superintendents. I wish this resource had been available when I was considering the superintendency. "

Marie Blum

"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

"Achieving Success reminds new and aspiring superintendents about the complexities of the job and affords concrete strategies to proactively address them—a nice overview to start with and reference to check in on over time."

Peter Dillon

"This is a practical guide for those at the beginning of superintendency, written by veteran superintendents who are, astute, introspective and reflective. I applaud these authors for sharing experiences, wisdom and special insights with anyone contemplating one of the toughest jobs in America. "

Perry Berkowitz

"Mary Frances Callan and Bill Levinson have provided a great service to educators who aspire to become superintendents. Their book includes insightful information on how to become a superintendent and how to succeed in your first three years. This book is a must-read for superintendents interested in improving their leadership skills. "

Jeff Harding

"As an experienced superintendent for more than 20 years, I am frequently asked for advice. I am thrilled that this book is available, as it is the perfect gift for aspiring superintendents! It is written in an engaging style, which provides clear guidelines on how to apply for the position and how to succeed once selected.

Gail Anderson Uilkema

"As a second-year superintendent, I found this book to be extremely helpful. It validated and reinforced the work of my first year, offering clear signposts to keep me moving toward desired outcomes while avoiding the myraid landmines. The chapters on getting organized, planning, and working with school boards were especially poignant and useful. "

Fred Brill