Achieving Success for New and Aspiring Superintendents

A Practical Guide
First Edition
Mary Frances Callan - Retired - Superintendent
William J. Levinson - Retired - Superintendent
Achieving Success for New and Aspiring Superintendents
November 2010 | 328 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452235660
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781412988964
Available from January 0001

Description

"Callan and Levinson illustrate the complexities of superintendent's job and provide concrete strategies to proactively address them—a nice overview to start with and reference to use over time."
—Peter Dillon, Superintendent
Berkshire Hills Regional School District, Stockbridge, MA

"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, Superintendent
Canaseraga Central School District, NY

An expert guide to becoming a successful superintendent

Veteran superintendents Mary Frances Callan and William Levinson provide engaging examples and practical advice based on years of experience in this comprehensive how-to guide for aspiring and new superintendents. They believe that understanding all aspects of the superintendency is critical to developing expertise and that those who master a wide array of leadership and organizational skills significantly increase their chances for success. Offering both the benefits of their knowledge and a vision for the future, the authors cover a full range of topics, including:

  • Keys to providing exceptional instructional leadership
  • Strategic planning, goal setting, and decision making
  • Budgeting, negotiations and collective bargaining
  • Effective communication with staff, the board, unions, and the media

This unique reference focuses on the interconnections between leadership, organization, and action and provides tools for assessing the most appropriate response to any on-the-job situation.

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgements

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

Resources

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

"Callan and Levinson illustrate the complexities of superintendent's job and provide concrete strategies to proactively address them—a nice overview to start with and reference to use over time."
—Peter Dillon, Superintendent
Berkshire Hills Regional School District, Stockbridge, MA

"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, Superintendent
Canaseraga Central School District, NY

An expert guide to becoming a successful superintendent

Veteran superintendents Mary Frances Callan and William Levinson provide engaging examples and practical advice based on years of experience in this comprehensive how-to guide for aspiring and new superintendents. They believe that understanding all aspects of the superintendency is critical to developing expertise and that those who master a wide array of leadership and organizational skills significantly increase their chances for success. Offering both the benefits of their knowledge and a vision for the future, the authors cover a full range of topics, including:

  • Keys to providing exceptional instructional leadership
  • Strategic planning, goal setting, and decision making
  • Budgeting, negotiations and collective bargaining
  • Effective communication with staff, the board, unions, and the media

This unique reference focuses on the interconnections between leadership, organization, and action and provides tools for assessing the most appropriate response to any on-the-job situation.

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgements

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

Resources

Index

Index

Additional materials

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Achieving Success for New and Aspiring Superintendents

A Practical Guide

Mary Frances Callan , William J. Levinson
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November 2010 | 328 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/01/2025 9781412988964 $48.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452235660 $45.00

"Callan and Levinson illustrate the complexities of superintendent's job and provide concrete strategies to proactively address them—a nice overview to start with and reference to use over time."
—Peter Dillon, Superintendent
Berkshire Hills Regional School District, Stockbridge, MA

"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, Superintendent
Canaseraga Central School District, NY

An expert guide to becoming a successful superintendent

Veteran superintendents Mary Frances Callan and William Levinson provide engaging examples and practical advice based on years of experience in this comprehensive how-to guide for aspiring and new superintendents. They believe that understanding all aspects of the superintendency is critical to developing expertise and that those who master a wide array of leadership and organizational skills significantly increase their chances for success. Offering both the benefits of their knowledge and a vision for the future, the authors cover a full range of topics, including:

  • Keys to providing exceptional instructional leadership
  • Strategic planning, goal setting, and decision making
  • Budgeting, negotiations and collective bargaining
  • Effective communication with staff, the board, unions, and the media

This unique reference focuses on the interconnections between leadership, organization, and action and provides tools for assessing the most appropriate response to any on-the-job situation.


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

Recent Product Reviews:

"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, District Administration Magazine, March 2012
"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, Coordinator of Educational Leadership Programs, College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY
"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, Assistant Executive Director, ACSA Educational Services
"'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, Superintendent, Moraga School District, Moraga, CA
"I read and used 'Achieving Success' before I became superintendent, during my first year as superintendent, and as I continue to serve as superintendent. It is the practical guide and resource for understanding the wide array of responsibilities and nuances of the job."
Bruce Burns, Superintendent, Moraga School District, Moraga, CA

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