2. Goals
• To assist you in your preparation for securing
the position of Superintendent of Schools
• To assist you in distinguishing yourself as a
candidate for the position of Superintendent
of Schools
3. Calendar and Topics
• (August) Overview
• (September) Preparing Your Resume,
Placement File and Obtaining Letters of
Recommendation
• (October) What the Process Looks Like from
the School Board’s Perspective
• (November) Researching the Vacancies and
the Positions
4. • (January) Analyzing the Vacancy
Announcement and Submitting Your
Application
• (February) Preparing for Your Interview
• (March) Negotiating Your Contract
• (April) Transition Planning and Assuming the
Position
6. Washington Superintendents
2010-11
• 42 New Superintendents (14% turnover)
– 3 positions filled by females (7 %); 11 in 09-10
– Deer Park, Mabton, Napavine
– 2 positions filled by out of state candidates
– Federal Way, Bellingham
• 295 School Districts (275-285 Superintendents)
– 228 male superintendents (77%)
– 67 female superintendents (23%)
– National Average (21.7%)
• 9 ESD Superintendents
-- 1 new superintendent (ESD 105)
-- 1 female superintendent (ESD 112)
7. Number and Percent of Superintendent
Openings for Washington, 2005-2010
• 2005 (50 openings, 18%)
• 2006 (37 openings, 13%)
• 2007 (57 openings, 20%)
• 2008 (48 openings, 17%)
• 2009 (50 openings, 18%)
• 2010 (42 openings, 14%)
8. Number of Openings and Average Number of
Applicants by District Size, 2010
Less than 500 Students (12 openings/average number of applicants 12)
500 – 1000 Students (10 openings/average number of applicants 16)
1001 – 3000 Students (10 openings/average number of applicants 14)
3001 – 5000 Students (3 openings/average number of applicants 17)
5001 – 10,000 Students (4 openings/average number of applicants 16)
10,000 – 20,000 Students (1 opening/average number of applicants 15)
Over 20,001 Students (1 opening/average number of applicants 16)
9. Number and Percent of Female Superintendents
in Washington by District Size, 2010
• Less than 500 (24/37%)
• 500 – 1000 (7/10%)
• 1001 – 3000 (12/18%)
• 3001 – 5000 (7/10%)
• 5001 – 10,000 (8/12%)
• 10,001 – 20,000 (7/10%)
• Over 20,001 (1/3%)
10. Cougar Superintendents
2010-11
• 130 current superintendents (including ESD’s)
• 43% of current superintendents (including
ESD’s)
• Represented in each county
11. For September
• Dust off your resume and update it
– What is a resume?
– Pro’s and Con’s of Placement File
– Purpose and Focus of Letters of Recommendation
• Meet with your superintendent for the purpose of discussing his/her “operating
protocols” or “operating principles” with the board of directors. (Bring copy and be
prepared to discuss.)
– What process was used to develop this document?
– How often is it reviewed?
– Is it formally adopted by the board?
– How is it “operationalized”?
– Does your superintendent find the protocols/principles useful?
12. What is a Resume?
(public document)
• Answers the question “what” ?
– What is your career goal
– What schools you attended
– What degrees/certificates you hold
– What places you have worked/positions you have held
– What are your responsibilities (optional, be selective, use verbs, only positions “that
contribute”)
– What professional organizations you belong to and what leadership roles you have held
– What community groups you belong to and what leadership roles you have held
– What awards you have received
– What articles you have authored
– What ________________________
13. Reminders About Resumes
fits the position for which applying
• well organized and easy to read (adequate
white space)--professional appearance
• be truthful!!!!
• proofread carefully--watch dates
• white paper--professional and best for duplicating as necessary
• most recent first for education and experience information
• list personal address, phone numbers, and e-mail address (not
business)
14. • references--list on separate sheet as do not
want these included when duplicated for
distribution
15. Pro’s and Con’s of Placement Files
• Pro’s
– Historical archive
• Con’s
– Can become dated if not attended to regularly
16. Purpose and Focus of Letters of
Recommendation
• Helps reader get a more complete picture of you as a candidate
• Address specific required requirements and/or experiences desired by
the district
• Be selective as to who you ask to do a letter of recommendation--
need at least two current school board members; select good writers
who will invest in the effort
• Be clear with those writing letters of recommendations as to what you
want them to focus on--provide a current resume and writing points if
needed and clarity as to when needed
• Must be current letters--be dated
17. Assignment for October
Interview the Board President/Chair about the work of the
board and its expectations of the superintendent
Update your resume and bring 8 copies to the seminar; send
resume to University Supervisor for feedback
Review your placement file (if you have one)
Create a list of persons you would seek a letter of
recommendation from when applying for a superintendent
position
18. October
• What the Process Looks Like from the School
Board’s Perspective
