These qualitative case studies give the prospective superintendent a real-life look at life on the other side of the district CEO's desk. Two dozen superintendents reflect upon their first challenges and growth opportunities that arose during that all-important first year. They tell it like it is, no sugar-coating. The experiences they listed, in each of the 13 chapters, are invaluable to new or beginning superintendents. This book is also helpful for the superintendent mentor as they assist new superintendents in being successful. The following chapters are contained in this book: (1) What Kind of People Become Superintendents? (2) What the "Moving In" Day Was Like; (3) What Kinds of People Visit Superintendents Right Away? (4) Discovery: The Real State of the Fiscal Union; (5) That First Board Meeting; (6) First Meeting with Supervisory Staff; (7) What Was the First Encounter with an Angry Parent or Patron Like? (8) School Property and the "Proprietary Role"; (9) School Bond Elections; (10) First Significant Legal Challenge; (11) First Evaluation of Supervisory/Administrative Staff; (12) Trends in Academic Achievement the First Year(s); and (13) Knowing When It is Time to Move.