Describes how superintendents and business managers work together during periods of limited financial resources and tight budgets. Provides examples from several states. (PKP)

Discusses legal issues involved in conducting school board business over the Internet. (PKP)

Briefly describes how school boards and superintendents can work together as a team to improve the quality of education. References "Team Leadership for Student Achievement," a new book developed through the collaborative efforts of the American Association of School Administrators and the National School Boards Association. (PKP)

Discusses the importance of the spiritual side of leadership. Asserts that spiritual side of leadership should be taught in administrator preparation courses and profession development programs through spiritual discussions, helping administrators develop a spiritual self, and assigning books on spiritual leadership. Includes a spiritual…

Describes how some districts are coping with nursing shortages and tight budgets by employing several approaches to providing health services to students, including requesting additional services from existing staff, establishing partnerships with local health agencies and hospitals, and obtaining information about school-health programs from…

Former superintendent discusses five lessons learned about how to inform the public about school-improvement efforts: Learn from district's history of school improvement, be honest and candid with public, engage the public in dialogue to redefine accountability, define "results" as individual and cohort performance along a multiyear developmental…

Describes use of wireless technology system involving laptop computers in Henrico County Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia. Briefly describes some lessons learned about the use of laptops and the major components of the laptop security plan. Reports laptop-supported advances in student achievement. (PKP)

Describes eight common mistakes that beginning superintendents make when deciding whether the weather forecasts for snow and ice will make roads hazardous enough to cancel schools. For example, delaying an obvious decision to cancel schools until the morning or passing the responsibility to someone else. Describes several elements of an inclement…

Describes how superintendents can help school board meetings operate more efficiently. (PKP)

Personal account of his first-year experience as superintendent of the East Valley School District, a suburban district in Spokane, Washington. (PKP)

The most important part of the teacher recruitment process begins and ends with the interview experience. By including several key components in this experience, administrators can ensure that they will wind up offering contracts to candidates who quickly will contribute to the school system. Advice is given regarding preparing questions and…

U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum has become the leading Republican advocate for education. She shares AASA's support for the Head Start program, but is skeptical about financing a federal day care program. She also supports latchkey, intergenerational, and vocational/technical programs, and favors community volunteering over a national youth service…

For any strategic planning effort to succeed, administrators must choose carefully the size or scope of the proposed plan and who will benefit from it. This article outlines the major elements and assumptions of three planning dimensions--micro-, macro-, and mega-planning. Once scope is determined, the group is ready for 12 other steps that will…

Currently 59 bills are awaiting Congressional action. Meanwhile, a national coalition of economists and medical specialists (the National Leadership Coalition for Health Care Reform) are circulating a sensible consensus health reform plan proposing national practice guidelines; universal health care access; and efficient cost control, delivery,…

School administrators must speak out when single-issue or "stealth" groups threaten to take over a school board. Administrators can help ensure that election campaigns stimulate community debate, discussion, and consensus about educational directions. They must know how to remove the cover from stealth candidates, respond to the public,…