Misperceptions About the Superintendent Role

A recent article from The Holdsworth Center suggests that an outdated perception of the superintendent’s job could be contributing to retention challenges for the top position at school districts.

Over time, the superintendent’s role has shifted from one that oversees the internal workings of the organization to more of a public-facing role. Often, the chief focus of the job is as the spokesperson for the school district – many times navigating challenges of divided community members. Those who strive to oversee both the internal management of the business of the district and the public-facing responsibilities are often left feeling overwhelmed and run down.

Lindsay Whorton, president of the Holdsworth Center and author of the article, suggests school districts can help by:

• Providing clarity about the role of the superintendent – both in the job description and in training programs
• Normalizing delegation – superintendents often need to let go of the pieces to focus on the whole
• Pursuing individuals with leadership and relationship-building skills when filling vacancies

More information can be found in Beyond Impossible: Making the Shifts Necessary to Thrive in the Superintendent Role from The Holdsworth Center and in the EducationWeek article What Most People Get Wrong About the Superintendent’s Job.