Complete Superintendent Interview

Complete Superintendent Interview

Questions and Answers:

1.    What is your definition of leadership?

My definition of leadership is the ability to build a consensus among people to reach a common goal. A leader must have integrity.

2.    What are the positive aspects of being in a leadership position, like Superintendent?

Positive aspects are helping people in general, the ability to be a servant to people, and to help develop leadership skills in others.

3.    What are the negative or difficult aspects of being in a leadership position?

One negative aspect is making difficult decisions that involve people and another is making difficult decisions that may not be politically favorable.

4.    What do you believe are the attributes of a good Superintendent?

Integrity, being ethical, good listener, even keeled, no knee jerk reactions, have a good knowledge regarding finance and academics.

5.    Superintendent Competency 1 emphasizes the importance of integrity, fairness and ethical behavior. What does ethical leadership look like?

Ethical leadership is doing what is right regardless of the political implications. When you do what is right you are doing what is in the best interest of people and the organization as a whole.

6.    Competency 2 discuss the role of the superintendent in shaping campus culture by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the educational community. How do you work to develop a shared vision?

I work through my mid-management which is my leadership team.  I try to make the vision simple and work with the leadership team to come up with a simple vision: “Successful kids by meeting their needs.” I work through the mid-management team so they can work at the campus level.

7.    Competency 3 discusses the importance of the Superintendent to communicate and collaborate with families and community members, respond to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilize community resources to ensure educational success for all students. How should a superintendent evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies in the school district and encourage the engagement of the community to benefit all students?

I want the patrons to be informed and I evaluate this through surveys.  I communicate through a broad range of media, websites, newspaper, radio, and in special events at the school.

8. Competency 4 focuses on the importance of the Superintendent responding to and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural context, including working with the Board of Trustees, to achieve the district’s educational vision. How does the Superintendent build a good working relationship with the Board?

To be honest and forth wright, when you make a mistake own up to it and take responsibility for what goes on in the district.

The first 4 competencies looked at the Superintendent as Leader of the Educational Community. Competencies 5 – 7 examine the Superintendent as Instructional Leader.

9. Competency 5 examines the importance of the Superintendent planning and implanting strategic planning that enhances the teaching and learning, ensures alignment of the curriculum, curriculum resources and assessment; uses the current accountability system; and promotes the use of varied assessments to measure student performance. How does the Superintendent accomplish such wide ranging strategic planning?

        Utilize the campus leadership team in conjunction with the site based decision making team on each campus, to come up with a strategy and a plan to implement.

10. Competency 6 emphasizes how Superintendents must advocate, promote, and sustain an instructional program and a district culture that are conducive to student learning and staff professional growth. How does a Superintendent promote and sustain a district culture that emphasizes student learning and professional development?

        I focus on academics and instruction at the classroom level.  I provide opportunities for professionals to grow. Professionals can grow at the district level, regional level, and state level.

11. Competency 7 discusses the importance of the Superintendent implementing a staff    

evaluation and development system, and selecting appropriate models for supervision and staff development to improve the performance of all staff members. How do Superintendents address these issues aimed at improving the performance of all staff members?

Address each individual’s strengths and weaknesses in the leadership team, point out strengths and give constructive criticism for areas to grow.

Competencies 8 – 10 focus on the Superintendent as Administrative Leader.

12. Competency 8 examines the importance of Superintendents knowing how to apply the principles of effective leadership and management in relation to district budgeting, personnel, resource utilization, financial management, and technology application. More or less, the Superintendent has an immense responsibility in carrying out these tasks. How should Superintendents approach the management of everything from budgets to technology applications?

        I do it through the leadership team concept by hiring people in a specialized area that knows their field.  I get the leadership team involved. Having a group advocacy is better than doing it by yourself.

13. Competency 9 states that Superintendents must know how to apply principles of leadership and management to the district’s physical plant and support systems to ensure a safe and effective learning environment. What leadership and management principles help Superintendents supervise the physical plants and support systems to ensure a safe and effective learning environment? And please talk to us about developing organizational leadership skills.

        You hire component people and hold them accountable.

14. Competency 10 addresses how Superintendents apply organizational, decision-making and problem-solving skills to comply with federal and state regulations and facilitate positive change in varied contexts. Please discuss the importance of organizational leadership, as well as decision-making and problem-solving skills in addressing these compliance areas and maintaining positive change.

        I use a leadership team concept for organization.  It allows people to have input and I feel it is a more effective organization in achieving goals.  This style provides people with ownership to the organization.

15. What additional experience, learning, or advice can you share to help me (our student’s) develop an effective internship?

Do what is right for kids and be a servant leader.  Do not take the easy way out because    it usually becomes the hard way out.