Supporting New Leaders: How School Boards Can Pave the Way for Sustainable Leadership

Today’s school systems face a crisis of management. According to new research, between March 1, 2020, and September 1, 2022, almost half of the 500 largest school districts in the country experienced a disruption or change in leadership. Of those, 40 reported changing superintendents twice during that period, while seven had switched three or more times.

The reasons are multifaceted. Political polarization has stoked bitter divides within local and regional communities. With every election, the priorities of a school district threaten to shift dramatically. Culture wars are bleeding into the classroom, placing new pressures on teachers, principals and leaders. In addition, the ongoing impact of the pandemic continues to wreak havoc among learners, further burdening an already strained system.

As new administrators take up the mantle of leadership, they face challenges that would concern even the most seasoned of executives. Everybody — from community members to employees — has a role in paving the way for strong, sustained leadership. However, as stewards of the school system, boards, in particular, can significantly impact whether a superintendent will succeed.

Voting for Values

Voters tend to be at least somewhat familiar with the platform and party of candidates vying for state and national offices. But many head to the polls with little knowledge of who is running for their school board — if they choose to vote at all. Research from the National School Boards Association found that voter turnout in board elections typically falls between 5% and 10%.

As a result, who serves on the school board can be determined by a relatively small base and, in some cases, one with very little information with which to operate. This becomes a serious problem if a candidate throws their hat in the ring for the wrong reasons. For some, the campaign represents an exercise in building a political base more than an opportunity to serve the needs of students.

When school board members without the right background, experience or motivations are elected, it damages the governing body’s efficacy and erodes community trust. Over time, this can lead to a significant lack of alignment between community members, the board and employees of the local school system.

Without explicit agreement on the district’s goals, new superintendents often find that their hands are tied, with neither the resources nor the platform to make tangible improvements to the day-to-day operations of their schools.

A Collective Vision

Adding to the confusion is a lack of clarity on the role of school board members. Community members frequently report feeling in the dark about the school board’s agenda. They see the frequent transitions of leadership, follow media coverage of executive searches and understand the ways that long-term, systemic issues stifle student success. But they do not always know how to be part of the solution.

Voters must take responsibility for electing qualified leaders. School board members, in turn, must then work with the community to identify a collective mission, vision and set of values for their district, which can set the course for strategic goals. This will translate into clear expectations for new administrators, paving the way for sustainable leadership.

To successfully oversee the operations of a school district, a candidate needs to be able to bring people together in pursuit of a shared goal.

Finding Alignment

Superintendents must bring integrity, perseverance and a solid background to their role. They also need charisma. To successfully oversee the operations of a school district, a candidate needs to be able to bring people together in pursuit of a shared goal.

Beyond these qualities, clear alignment between the board and the community is critical.

At JG Consulting, when approaching a new search, we will spend hundreds of hours in community engagement meetings, soliciting feedback to develop a leadership profile. Our conversations with community members focus on four distinct lines of inquiry.

• Their hopes and aspirations for the school system.
• What they would like to celebrate about their local schools.
• What obstacles must be overcome to achieve their goals.
• What qualities the next superintendent will need to make this a reality.

The input we receive based on these prompts helps us to build a profile to advertise positions. Assuming the information we receive is in line with the true objectives of the board, this profile will attract candidates who exemplify the qualities that the community cares most about — and have the abilities and temperament to flourish in the role.

Consistency is the Key

Research shows that superintendents are leaving their positions in record numbers. Now, more than ever, school boards need to take seriously their responsibility to support the next generation of education leaders. It will take alignment at every level to turn the tide and pave the way for new senior administrators to thrive.

To make this a reality, community members need to pay attention to who is running for their school board and elect members they can count on to act in the best interests of students. School board members need to understand and commit to consistently following the charge set by the community and use it as a yardstick against which to measure progress. They also need to be honest about their goals during the hiring process. If the mission presented to a superintendent differs from the day-to-day reality of their role, they can’t possibly be effective.

When school boards, community members and administrators share a vision for growth, schools can continue to thrive despite today’s challenging landscape. By articulating clear, overarching goals for the district, boards can empower new leaders to bring those values to life, clearing the way for student success.