The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of superintendents with business backgrounds and who lack teaching experience. There is a shortage of qualified superintendent candidates in K-12 school districts. As a result, some school boards are hiring nontraditional superintendents. This qualitative case study is important because it benefits aspiring and new nontraditional superintendents by explaining the unique challenges they face in their position and to better equip these individuals for their current and future responsibilities. The Broad Foundation's 2003 publication "Better Leaders for America's Schools: A Manifesto" argued that school systems should search outside the traditional means for hiring their leaders. Five nontraditional superintendents were interviewed with the intent of addressing their perceptions of: (a) differences in their roles of nontraditional superintendents from traditional superintendents, (b) factors that create the need for nontraditional superintendents, (c) barriers and disadvantages encountered by nontraditional superintendents, (d) reasons why urban school districts hire nontraditional superintendents more frequently than suburban or rural school districts, and (e) similarities of nontraditional superintendents with community college leaders. The interviews were conducted in-person, transcribed verbatim, thematically coded, analyzed, and member-checked. The study revealed that the nontraditional superintendents perceive their extensive finance, budget, and leadership experience and abilities benefit school districts, and explain the barriers and challenges they face that traditional superintendents may not. Positive social change may occur when nontraditional superintendents become more knowledgeable of the challenges their peers have faced and utilize that knowledge to become effective school district leaders. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]