Dr. Mike McFalls of Texas is a regular contributor on educational leadership. In the following article, Dr. Mike McFalls, Principal, explains the Superintendent’s role in leading education, and why this role is critical for effective operation of schools.
Superintendents are crucial to the success of schools and students as they are responsible for overseeing the operations of the school system, including making sure that budgets are met, policies are followed, and students have access to levels of quality instruction.
Dr. Mike McFalls, Principal provides in the following article an in-depth look at the role of a superintendent including their duties, responsibilities, and scope of leadership, as well as how superintendents can contribute to the success of both the school and its students.
Dr. Mike McFalls on What a School Superintendents Does
Dr. Mike McFalls, Principal explains that school superintendents are highly-ranked public school administrators responsible for the oversight of a large number of schools and educational staff. This includes overseeing the school budgets, policies, academic programs,
employee supervision, and other operational aspects of their school systems. School superintendents are typically appointed by the district board or elected to office by various means.
Duties and Responsibilities
Superintendents have a wide range of responsibilities that can be divided into three main categories: academic administration, personnel management, and services (including finance), and leadership.
Academic Administration
As part of their academic administration duties, Dr. Mike McFalls of Texas says that school superintendents work to ensure all schools in their districts have access to quality instruction through the creation and implementation of curricula. They also oversee professional development programs for teachers, monitor student progress, and work to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education.
Personnel Management and Services
These leaders are responsible for overseeing the hiring, evaluation, promotion, retention, and dismissal of teachers and other school staff in order to fulfill their duty to provide access to quality instruction for all students. Dr. Mike McFalls of Texas says that they also oversee school building maintenance, safety protocols, transportation services, and the budgeting of financial resources across the district or schools under their leadership.
Leadership
As highly respected mentors of their educational systems, superintendents have a large influence over the direction their districts take academically and culturally. They often serve as spokespeople for their schools on matters pertaining to education policy at both local and levels. Superintendents are also responsible for building positive relationships with the community, parents, and local lawmakers in order secure funding for their school system.
Does Every School Need a Superintendent
While every school system and school may not require the services of a superintendent, it is generally accepted that schools with large numbers of students and staff benefit greatly from having a dedicated leader to oversee their operations.
Dr. Mike McFalls of Texas says that because of the complexity of school systems and the breadth of responsibilities that fall under the supervision of a superintendent, it is important for these leaders to have strong expertise in areas such as curriculum development, education policy, management, leadership, and community engagement which is why it's common for school superintendents to be appointed or elected based on their previous experience and qualifications.
Can School Superintendents Help Schools and Students Succeed
Dr. Mike McFalls, Principal says that there is considerable debate about the role that school superintendents play in promoting educational success for both schools and students. While some believe that strong leadership from a superintendent can be
critical to the success of a school system, others argue that many of the responsibilities typically assigned to these leaders can be effectively managed by other school staff and administrators.
Despite these differing opinions, Dr. Mike McFalls of Texas explains that there is a growing body of research that suggests the leadership of school superintendents is important for schools to thrive. This includes their ability to set clear goals for schools, create strong academic plans, effectively manage budgets and personnel, build community partnerships, implement effective instructional practices, and lead positive change efforts.
On the other hand, some critics argue that the key role played by school superintendents is more symbolic than practical and that their authority is often limited by district policies, government regulations, and competing priorities from various stakeholders.
Ultimately, whether or not a superintendent can help schools and students succeed depends on a number of factors, including the leadership style and skills of the superintendent, as well as the challenges facing a particular school or district.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, school superintendents play a critical role in promoting success for schools and students. Whether through providing strong leadership, collaborating with other stakeholders, or implementing effective educational practices, these leaders have a profound impact on the trajectory of their school systems and communities.
As such, it is imperative that we continue to invest in and support the work of school superintendents so that all students can receive a quality education and reach their full potential.
