Effective Superintendent-School Board Practices
Strategies for Developing and Maintaining Good Relationships With Your Board
- Rene S. Townsend - Consultant
- Gloria L. Johnston - Independent Consultant
- Gwen E. Gross - Superintendent, Irvine Public Schools, Irvine, CA
- Peggy Lynch - Consultant
- Lorraine Garcy - Retired Superintendent, Educational Consultant, Springboard Schools
- Benita Roberts - Visiting Angels of Riverside County
- Patricia B. Novotney - Retired Superintendent, current Associate Professor at University of La Verne, CA
-Paul D. Houston, Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators
"This book provides practical insights and useful ideas to help district leaders who are serious about keeping the educational interest of children first among their priorities."
-Pedro A. Noguera, Professor, New York University
"Clearly lays out the important role the superintendent has in leading the district in partnership with the board of education. This book is well worth the time of every current and aspiring superintendent and school board member!"
-Anne Bryant, Executive Director, National School Boards Association
"This book is a useful tool in building district governance teams. The authors' collective wisdom provides valuable insight for superintendents and school board members."
-Luan B. Rivera, President, California State Boards Association
"A wonderful, clear, and jargon-free primer on how to be a successful superintendent. This book is must reading for superintendents and a real plus for school boards."
-Dede Alpert, Former California State Senator, Former Member, California State Assembly
"An outstanding fieldbook for those interested in down-to-earth strategies for navigating the complexities of providing leadership in school districts."
-General Davie, Jr., Retired Superintendent of Schools
Foster a strong superintendent-school board relationship centered on quality teaching and learning!
Effective Superintendent-School Board Practices helps current and future superintendents and school board members develop an effective governance team that prioritizes quality teaching and learning.
Designed for practicing and aspiring superintendents and school board members, this exceptional book relates the everyday experiences and challenges faced by this important district team. Combining 84 years of service as superintendents in urban, rural, and suburban school districts, the authors offer:
- Real-life vignettes that highlight problems, successes, key points, and useful practices
- Indispensable information on building relationships, creating a team, managing conflict, and staying focused on the mission and priorities of the district
- Reflective practice questions and self-assessments throughout
This rich resource offers knowledge, skills, and strategies to teach and inspire current and future leaders, based on the experiences of practitioners who have learned what works and what doesn't, leaving valuable time to focus on student achievement.
"...clearly lays out the important role the superintendent has in leading the district in partnership with the board of education. This book is loaded with practical tips and pearls of wisdom. It is an easy read with loads of good examples...well worth the time of every current and aspiring superintendent and school board member!"
"The success of a school district is determined at least in part by the ability of the school board and superintendent to develop a constructive working relationship. This book provides practical insights and useful ideas that will prove to be helpful to district leaders who are serious about keeping the educational interest of children first among their priorities."
"The authors of Effective Superintendent-School Board Practices have filled a gap in the literature by providing a practical, experience-based look at how superintendents should approach the most important relationship in their professional lives. Working effectively with school boards is what it is all about and this book shows you how."
"A wonderful, clear, and jargon-free primer on how to be a successful superintendent. Not only is this book must reading for anyone who aspires to be a superintendent, it would be a real plus for school boards. As a former school board member myself, I would have benefited from having a better understanding of the myriad challenges facing the superintendent."
"This book is a must 'read-and-keep' for students interested in the superintendency as well as new and mature superintendents. An outstanding fieldbook for those interested in down-to-earth strategies needed to navigate the complexities of providing leadership in school districts."
"This book is a very useful tool in building school district governance teams. The collective wisdom of the authors will provide valuable insight to superintendents and school board members alike as they strive to provide a high-quality education for all of the children in their districts."
"An easy-to-read guide that can be referred to again and again by current and aspiring superintendents and board members."