Selecting a Superintendent

By Andy Hegedus

The qualities necessary include fiscal expertise, community relations, and staff development.

To resolve the financial issues and to build support for continued progress, the superintendent will need to keep the entire community informed and part of the process. The complexity of school funding issues alone make this communication important especially in a time when a parcel tax is a possibility. Also in this communication and community building will be the need to get backing from the community stakeholders that are not directly involved with the schools such as the business community and homeowners without children in school.

The other area of skill needed is in staff development and leadership. Excellent teachers are required for excellent schools and the market for teachers is very tight. The district needs to continue its ability to be selective in teacher hiring. Of course competitive salaries are necessary, however they are not the sole factors teachers use in selecting Burlingame. The district needs to provide additional things to maintain the energized, committed staff for a successful district. The superintendent must provide the leadership here in developing the staff and providing an environment that is conducive to excellent teaching. Burlingame must be the employer of choice for the teaching staff.