An effective way to prevent disruptions is for superintendents and school boards to strike "social contracts" that cover everyone's commitments, how conflicts will be resolved and how the superintendent and members expect to be treated, among other issues.
"A long, long time ago I heard a superintendent talk and say, 'The problem with communication is 90% of the time people think they communicated, they didn't communicate or they miscommunicated,'" says Sean Maika, who was recently named a Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association. "That leads to 90% of your problems."
Melissa Brady, Delaware's national distinguished principal, views her students as more than scholars—they are leaders in her elementary school now and in the community of the future.
A shallower-than-expected pool of just 10 applicants drove Duval County Public Schools to pause its search for a new superintendent last week, with a consultant citing politics as a key factor.
Quenching parents' and families' thirst for news updates is one way K12 leadership has changed over the last few years, Superintendent Joshua McDowell says.
New hires have outpaced superintendent resignations over the past week. While at least three leaders stepped down (and one learned their contract would not be renewed) two superintendents found new ones and several more are getting their first shots at leading a district.
Though Juban Parc Elementary School is one of the highest performers in its district, educators there are now helping dozens of new students who are struggling with basic concepts after the disruptions of remote learning.
"Eyes on the Board Act," which singles out TikTok and Instagram, would require schools and districts that receive federal broadband funding to prohibit students from accessing any and all social media apps on "subsidized services, devices, and networks."
