Achieving Success for New and Aspiring Superintendents: A Practical Guide

"Callan and Levinson illustrate the complexities of superintendent′s job and provide concrete strategies to proactively address them―a nice overview to start with and reference to use over time."
―Peter Dillon, Superintendent
Berkshire Hills Regional School District, Stockbridge, MA

"This book provides valuable information for aspiring and new superintendents. I wish this resource had been available when I was considering the superintendency."
―Marie Blum, Superintendent
Canaseraga Central School District, NY

An expert guide to becoming a successful superintendent

Veteran superintendents Mary Frances Callan and William Levinson provide engaging examples and practical advice based on years of experience in this comprehensive how-to guide for aspiring and new superintendents. They believe that understanding all aspects of the superintendency is critical to developing expertise and that those who master a wide array of leadership and organizational skills significantly increase their chances for success. Offering both the benefits of their knowledge and a vision for the future, the authors cover a full range of topics, including:

• Keys to providing exceptional instructional leadership
• Strategic planning, goal setting, and decision making
• Budgeting, negotiations and collective bargaining
• Effective communication with staff, the board, unions, and the media

This unique reference focuses on the interconnections between leadership, organization, and action and provides tools for assessing the most appropriate response to any on-the-job situation.

Mary Frances Callan recently retired after serving the last fourteen years of her career as superintendent of schools in Milpitas, Pleasanton and Palo Alto, California. She now coaches aspiring and new superintendents, assists with superintendent searches, and is co-developing a curriculum to train aspiring and new superintendents. Earlier in her career she was a teacher, counselor, and administrator in a number of states as well as overseas. Callan also serves on boards including the school board of ICA Cristo Rey, the Board of Regents of Santa Clara University, and the Keenan Health Advisory Board. Among other writings, she has co-authored publications including two handbooks for Phi Delta Kappa's Exemplary Practices Series, Staff Development and Organization Development, and a book published by McGraw Hill, Containing the Health Care Cost Spiral.

William Levinson Ed.D. has worked over 44 years in public education. He grew up in New York, earning his BA from the University of Michigan. He served as a Vista Volunteer in Florida where he founded an after-school language development program for migrant laborer children using college students as tutors. After completing a Masters degree in Special Education, Bill taught elementary students in the New York City public schools. He enrolled in a Ford Foundation funded doctoral program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Bill then served as an elementary school principal for five years in New Jersey before moving to California. He was superintendent for 23 years in four different districts. Throughout his long career Bill presented workshops assisting teachers and administrators further their own careers. Since retiring, Bill has worked with a national search firm conducting numerous superintendent searches.   Bill resides with his wife in Marin County, California.