Ex-school board member IDs traits for ‘effective superintendent’

Opinion: May 11, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

One of the most difficult tasks for any school board is the selection of an “effective superintendent.” I speak from experience because of my involvement in the selection of teachers, principals, executive directors, treasurers, and superintendents. Two of my most recent were the selection of the present superintendent and serving on a committee to select the executive director of The National School Boards Association, a position that paid the qualified applicant well over a quarter-million dollars per annum.

The question for this board is how do we find an effective individual with the necessary credentials to take over a school district that is labeled the lowest performing, academically, in Ohio? Finding applicants with academic and state credentials may not be a difficult task. But, finding a leader with the necessary abilities and proven leadership will be a much greater task. An effective leader must be prepared socially, emotionally, and spiritually, to face the challenges of leadership.

First, I would define leadership as the ability to turn a dream or vision into a reality. If the vision is dynamic, it may last long past the individual’s tenure as superintendent.

Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech still lives on and will, until true equality for all becomes a reality. Individuals will apply who have from 5 to 10 pages of a resume, but an effective interviewer must be able to disseminate what is written, what is being said, and what is not being said to find capable applicants.

I offer the following suggestions. Look for a candidate with a dream and a vision and the proven ability to turn it into a reality through teamwork and cooperation with others. Look for an individual who is a visionary, that is, able to put an effective job together to achieve the stated goals they will illuminate in the interview. Written and verbal ideas can be discussed verbally rather easily, but the ability to work toward them becoming a reality is where the true work lies.

In many seminars on the state and national levels I have heard many times from effective superintendents one major concern that stands out. Too many boards want to micro-manage the district. An effective superintendent will be quickly lost when boards become managers instead of policy makers. Hold the superintendent accountable, but you must allow him/her to carry out the vision you approved when you hired them as your superintendent.

Finally, although there are other suggestions, an effective superintendent may cost you; therefore review the budget and let the applicant know if the district is willing to discuss or negotiate some of the demands that you will receive from some highly qualified candidates. It makes no sense to waste their time or the board’s time if both are unwilling to compromise. Move on to the next effective candidate or re-advertise. Youngstown may or may not get another bite at the apple.

Lock P. Beachum Sr., Youngstown

Lock P. Beachum is a former member of the Youngstown Board of Education.