The Superintendent's Planner
A Monthly Guide and Reflective Journal
- Gloria L. Johnston - Independent Consultant
- Rene S. Townsend - Consultant
- Gwen E. Gross - Superintendent, Irvine Public Schools, Irvine, CA
- Peggy Lynch - Consultant
- Lorraine M. Garcy - Retired Superintendent, Educational Consultant, Springboard Schools
- Benita B. Roberts - Visiting Angels of Riverside County
- Patricia B. Novotney - Retired Superintendent, current Associate Professor at University of La Verne, CA
"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.
"A concise resource that can serve as a reference for the new superintendent as well as a refresher for the seasoned superintendent. Information is presented in a chronological fashion rather than by theme, so the book serves as a great planning tool to integrate with the board of education annual calendar."
"A thoughtful contribution of the utmost importance for district planning as well as a guide for how the superintendent effectively leads the organization. This book provides rationale and examples that help administrators perform at a higher level."
"Without a doubt, this book will be a treasure for any new superintendent! It's a perfect ‘bible’ for the beginning superintendent. I wish I had this at my side when I first began."
"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."
"I love the monthly structure of the book. If superintendents follow these monthly guides, I am certain they would avoid the pitfalls to which many leaders succumb."
"As an experienced superintendent, I found the book fascinating to read, and I found myself comparing the suggestions presented in each chapter with tasks that I would list during that same time period. This would be a gift that I would give to mentees and new superintendents."
The Superintendent's Planner will be a supplemental Textbook in our course The Modern Superintendency.
1. Month to Month guide provides students with a format to complete their own portfolios.
2. Easy to read.
An excellent planner for superintendents, but I had already chosen several books for this class. I will seriously consider it in the future, however.