New Superintendent's Toolbox

Also see: Transition to Superintendency Program
     - practical and valuable

"Experience vs. Potential: Hiring Superintendents in a Tight Market"
          By William D. Silky, Ed.D., Professor of Educational Administration
Dynamics of Career Transition - template in pdf only
          By James M. Merrins, Ed.D., Educational Support Services

Readiness
     "Creating a Professional Profile That Will Land You Your       First Superintendency"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 1, No. 2, (2005), pp 3-5
     "Do You Have a Ph.D. or Ed.D.?"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 2, No. 2, (2006), pp 5-6
     How to Get a Good Letter of Reference - JMM 
   "How to Know if You're Ready"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 1, No.1, (2005), pp 6-7
    "Managing a "Blemish" on Your Record"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 2, No. 3, (2007), pp 4-5
    "Thinking Within the Role"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 4, No. 1, (2008), pp 2-4
    "Selecting and Working With a Mentor"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 3, No. 1, (2007), pp 2-3
    "Working Effectively With a Search Consultant"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 3, No. 2, (2007), pp 4-5

Scanning
   "Deciding the Profile of the School District..." before applying
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 3, No. 3, (2008), pp 2-3
   "Eight Strategies That Will Help You Determine the Financial Fitness of a School District"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 2, No.13, (2006), pp 3-4
   "Researching the School Board"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 4, No. 2, (2008), pp 2-4
 
Interviewing
    "Assessing and Presenting What You Have to Offer"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 3, No. 2, (2007), pp 2-3
   "Good Interviewing is Relationship Building"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 4, No. 2, (2008), pp 5-8
    "Key Messages Board Members Want to Hear"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 2, No. 3, (2007), pp 2-3
    "Rejection Does Not Have to Mean Dejection"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 3, No. 1, (2007), pp 4-5
   Superintendent Interview Questions
     Sample 1 Questions 
     Sample 2 Questions  
     Sample 3 Questions 
   "Ten of the Most Common Interviewing Mistakes"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 2, No.1, (2006), pp 5-7
   "Ten Secrets for Preparing Yourself for a Great Interview"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 1, No.1, (2005), pp 3-5
   "Vision: Bring, Buy or Build"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 1, No.13, (2006), pp 3-4

Contract - Superintendent's Employment Contract
     "Negotiating Your First Contract"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 1, No. 2, (2005), pp 6-7
     Reflections on the Superintendent's Employment Contract [NYS]
     The Superintendent's Employment Contract - JMM 

   In This Toolbox - with source

       After Getting the Superintendency and Prior to Starting

Entry Plans
     Use of an Entry Plan - JMM     
     Sample Entry Plans:
        - Example #1 - Ralph Kerr
        - Example #2   pdf only
        - Example #3 - Tom Mele
        - Example #4   pdf only
        - Example #5   pdf only
        - Example #6   pdf only
        - Example #7   pdf only
        - Example #8   pdf only
     "Starting Confused: How Leaders Start When They Don't Know Where to Start"
         - Jentz and Murphy, Phi Delta Kappan, June 2005
Focus of Superintendent Efforts - NYSCOSS  pdf only 
Getting Organized - JMM
Getting Started List  (14 pages) - JMM  pdf only
          - General Guidance and More
"The Classic Mistakes of New Superintendents" - AASA article 
         - Kerrins and Cushing, The School Administrator, February 2001
          -  Seven classic mistakes and six excellent strategies provide direction

When New in the Superintendency
    "Coping Strategies to Keep You Sane"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 3, No. 3, (2008), pp 4-5
     "Dealing With What Your Predecessor Leaves Behind"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 2, No. 2, (2006), pp 3-4
    Establishing the Second Contract with the Board of Education
       "A Board Member's Ten Commandments" - Unknown
        "A Superintendent's Ten Commandments" - Unknown
        Boardmanship - Unknown
        Five Filters for Decisions
            Gary Worden and Waneta Griffin
        Why Board's Micro-Manage and What to Do About It - JMM
        Productive Board of Education Activities - JMM
        Template for Clarifying Roles of the Board of Education and
           the Superintendent of Schools - pdf only
    Personal Problems Affecting the Superintendent -JMM
    "Seven Surprises for School Leaders" 
         Patrick F. Bassett, NAIS, reprinted with permission
    Superintendent's Annual Calendar  - JMM - pdf only
    Superintendent's Annual Fiscal Calendar - JMM - pdf only
    "Superintendents' Biggest Mistakes" 
        Iowa Association of School Administrators
    Superintendent's Calendar of Standard Monthly and Quarterly Reports - JMM
    Superintendent and School Law - JMM
       Law-related resources a new superintendent should have (diagram) - pdf only 
       Attorney Involvement - pdf only      
    Superintendent Networks - - Information - Advice - Support - Feedback
   "Taming the Political Animal"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 1, No.3, (2006), pp 5
   "Three Things That Can "Bite You" in Your First Year"
           AWSA/WASDA, ASeN*, Vol. 4, No. 1, (2008), pp 5-7
   What Superintendents Read - JMM

* Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA)/Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA), Aspiring Superintendents e-Newsletter

CONTACT US
- comments, corrections, source documents, and questions welcome 

 INDEX TO WORKSHOPS, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES