DALI

Superintendent Paula Knight: How to take risks on behalf of students

Superintendent Paula Knight was way ahead of the curve on a big issue: Cell phones in schools.

Take DA’s survey: What are your big priorities this year?

With so much going on in education, you deserve a chance to speak out. DA’s new survey is gauging the goals of education leaders.

Jamil Maroun: How this superintendent inspires new leaders

New Jersey K12 leader says he is just as eager to motivate staff as he is students. It's the "best form of leadership," he says.

ThoughtExchange teams with DA to gather new K12 wisdom

District Administration is now collecting and sharing the latest insights from education leaders with the help of ThoughtExchange.

Superintendent Jeni Gotto is all in on competency-based education

Superintendent Jeni Gotto and Westminster Public Schools are so accomplished at competency-based education that she has literally written the book on it.

Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. named AASA’s Superintendent of the Year

Gonsoulin is superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Alabama, the state's second-largest district, and previously led Fairfield City Schools.

Superintendent Ken Oertling: How to keep business ties strong

Superintendent Ken Oertling sums up his leadership philosophy with an acronym: ICE. It stands for "invest, communicate, engage."

Toledo Public Schools: Why more students go to the airport

If you want students to embark on aeronautics or aviations careers, put a school at the local airport. That's what Toledo Public Schools and Superintendent Romules Durant did.

Parent engagement: How to build better partnerships

As confident as leaders may feel about spearheading new student success initiatives, assuming parent engagement is a given may be unwise.

Parent engagement: How to build better partnerships

As confident as leaders may feel about spearheading new student success initiatives, assuming parent engagement is a given may be unwise.

DA names Superintendent of the Year and Districts of Distinction

Tony Watlington, leader of The School District of Philadelphia, was named Superintendent of the Year at this week's 2025 District Administration National Awards Program ceremony.

Superintendents on the move: A look at the latest retirements

Superintendent turnover has been making headlines over the last few years. The good news is that superintendents on the move are most likely to leave of their own volition.

Superintendent Lauren Zirpoli: How to get off to a strong start

Lauren Zirpoli became a superintendent for the first time this spring. Here's how she hit the ground running.

Superintendent Raymond Sanchez: Active listening is so important now

A superintendent's work is professional and personal for Raymond Sanchez, who leads the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns in the suburbs just north of New York City.

Superintendent Renee Nugent: How to truly connect

The whiteboard in Superintendent Renee Nugent's office at USD 409 Atchison Public Schools reflects one of her top priorities: her schedule of school and classroom visits.

See which hot topics dominated the latest DALI summit

Building a trusted brand became just one facet of a broader conversation leaders shared about how they strengthen their communication strategies.

On the move: Several superintendents elected to new posts

Several superintendents were also on the ballot on Election Day. See the incumbents and newcomers who won their races.

How to give students power to make important decisions

The Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union on Vermont's Canadian border took the extra step of letting high school students help craft its portrait of a graduate."

On the move: San Francisco USD suddenly has new leader

After former superintendent Matt Wayne's resignation last week, San Francisco USD moved quickly to hire Maria Su, who had been the executive director of the city's Department of Children, Youth and Their Families for the last 15 years.

On the move: Superintendent lands in new home, first-timers hired

Superintendents are steadily on the move this fall, with a wave of new hires and retirements rolling across the nation in recent weeks.

How this superintendent passed three bonds in a row

Guthrie Public Schools had failed on nine straight bond elections before Superintendent Mike Simpson arrived more than a decade ago. Simpson just passed his third straight bond since 2014, with nearly three-quarters of the vote.

Superintendent Speaks Out: How to reinvent your district

When a district is going through major changes—and making major changes—the leader has to be highly visible in supporting staff and connecting with the community, Joseph Goho says in this edition of "Superintendent Speaks Out." 

Superintendents on the move: A well-known leader steps down

Superintendents are on the move in several states as hiring and retiring activity is increasing this early fall after a relatively quieter summer. 

Superintendents on the move: New leader steps up in NYC

Melissa Aviles-Ramos, the highest-ranking Latina and Spanish-speaking leader in New York City Public Schools, will become the next chancellor of the nation's largest district.

Strategic planning: How to pivot after classes start

A solid after-action review will help you make early mid-course corrections, shift resources to cover unanticipated needs, support principals and improve next year’s planning.

What is taking up other superintendents’ time? We have answers

Time is not something most superintendents have to spare. A new report examines the reasons for that situation, along with the top stressors for K12 leaders and their levels of job satisfaction.  

ESSER is ending: Here’s how to do K12 budgeting differently

Traditionally, districts start each K12 budgeting cycle by taking last year’s spending plan and deciding what needs to change. Frankly, that’s an outdated approach, argues one expert.

These 3 big issues continue to shape the superintendency

Turnover, gender gaps and racial disparities remain major factors in the makeup of leaders in the nation's largest school districts. 

DA Awards of Distinction: Nominations for 2025 are now open

Submit your nominations for this prestigious program, which recognizes visionary leaders and innovative district initiatives that delivered measurable results and revolutionized learning.

Superintendent turnover: New data show reasons for recent moves

New job? Resignation? Termination? What is the biggest reason for superintendent turnover? Plus, mental health makes an impact on strategic plans.

Superintendents on the move: Retirements outpace new hires this week

Harrisburg School District is among the districts the picked a new leader in recent weeks. Benjamin Henry, now the regional assistant superintendent of Polk County Schools in Florida, will takes the Pennsylvania district on Nov. 1.

Superintendents on the move: Hiring steadies as school year begins

Superintendents are still on the move, though in smaller numbers than they were earlier in the year. Several districts filled vacancies.

Gregory-Portland ISD leader wants her district to ‘wonder constantly’

How Superintendent Michelle Cavazos encourages her staff at a top rural school district to be disruptive and innovative for students.

Superintendents on the move: 2 longtime leaders will retire

Superintendents in Georgia and Texas—with nearly 80 years of K12 experience—are preparing to say goodbye to their school districts.

Superintendents on the move: Vets and first-timers land new posts

A Texas leader has landed his fourth superintendency in this week's moderately busy round of superintendents on the move.