Winning Strategies for New Superintendents

Dr. Kevin CarlMoASBO Spring Conference

2012

Background

• Began as Superintendent July 1, 2011– Hancock Place School District, Lemay, MO

• Previous Experience– Assistant Superintendent Funds and Facilities– Middle School Principal– Middle School Assistant Principal– Mathematics Teacher

• Administrative Preparation– St Louis University, UMSL

Establish Positive Board Relationships• Have a written plan and share with the Board

– Entry plans are beneficial and establish a common vision• Meet with each Board member

– Know their values, issues, strengths and reasons for being on the Board

– Listen and set goals– Communicate frequently

• Meet with the Board as a team– Begin as soon as possible– Work sessions– PD training– Casual interactions are often helpful

Learn Your Community

• Community values are different from one area to the next

• Understand the level of engagement in decision making

• What is the best way to engage them in the educational process?

• Learn the sensitive areas

Build Community Relationships

• Visibility, engagement and accessibility– “Open Door” meetings

• Board, administrators, teachers, parents community leaders, legislators

• Teacher’s Association– Host a lunch– Meet regularly– Keep them informed

Listen, Learn, Assess, Act• Take some time to get to know the District• People provide more practical information than

numerical analysis• Establish yourself early and often• Be deliberate in your decision making– Get information from the source– Learn the flow of communication within the District– Act on items which must be attended to– Be willing to answer tough questions

Utilize Colleagues

• The best mentoring is not formal• Develop close relationships with

Superintendents in similar situations to yours• Administrators have a strong desire to assist

one another• We all learn from each other

Continuous Learning and Evaluation• Leaders must continue to learn• Share your PD plan with the Board• Prioritize your professional development• List of leadership books (Handout)• Professional Development fits into your

evaluation– Set goals with the Board – Use the CSIP

Don’t Assume• There is a hidden agenda to almost every

situation• Understand the filters• Make sure you know and understand the real

issue• Ask, ask and ask again• Be sure you have all the information

What should I know and haven’t asked?

Take the High Road

• Leadership is what you demonstrate when times are tough, anyone can lead during “easy” times

• Verbal sparring is a losing proposition– You can’t quote silence

• Take time, do the research, make the decision once….then stand by it

• Take the blame, not the praise– Mistakes happen

Find Balance• Prioritize what is most important to you– Easier said than done– Do you “live to work” or “work to live”?– We usually are, but remember you can’t be

everywhere all of the time– Prioritize what is important to you

• Don’t be too possessive or controlling– Delegate to build trust and leadership within

Questions/Comments

Dr. Kevin C. CarlSuperintendent of

Schools9417 S. Broadway

314-565-0662