For peace in Iraq, send in some principals; if non-educators can be principals, then why can't principals be military leaders?

Leadership, Jan-Feb, 2004 by George Manthey

At times, support for school leaders can come from surprising sources. Many may think the May 2003 report from the Fordham Institute is very critical of school administration as a profession. But I reached the opposite conclusion, and felt an overwhelming need to publicly thank the authors.

--GM

A n Open Letter to the Directors of the Fordham Institute and the signers of their school leadership manifesto:

I read your report, "Better Leaders for America's Schools: A Manifesto," with great interest. I thought it provided an excellent overview of the skills that are now required for school leadership. The report also delivered a wonderful synopsis of the difficult issues that must be worked through by virtually every educational system in America.

Impressively, the report then leapfrogged those problems, moving right to a solution: the shortage of strong leaders for America's schools can be solved by allowing non-educators with strong leadership skills to be principals. Your creativity, in fact, inspired mine; I think I've hit on the solution to many of America's difficulties.

As your report points out, many of America's schools are run by capable principals, most with stories that are even inspirational. If the skills required to be a military leader, a hospital administrator, an elected government official or to successfully run a business are virtually the same as those required to lead a school, then it follows, naturally, that successful principals would make great colonels, medical center directors, governors or CEOs.

I'm not sure what you believe, but it seems to me that each of these areas of American life could use a little help. For example,

* Our military did a great job of liberating Iraq, but it seems to be having some trouble winning the peace. A trip to a school playground in any major American city will show you a population much more diverse than any Middle Eastern country. The solution: send in some principals!

* The health care industry is a mess. Each year our medical insurance premiums go up and the services they cover go down. Principals have run their schools with inadequate funding for years. Send in some principals!

* The legislatures of many states, not just California's, can't seem to meet their legally imposed deadlines. But have you ever heard of a school that failed to open or close on schedule? Send in some principals!

* There is hardly a segment of American life where ethical concerns aren't surfacing. Major accounting firms, the telecommunications industry, energy providers, even the makers of running shoes seem to be having trouble knowing right from wrong. There isn't a principal who hasn't worked through that issue with children. Send in some principals!

Any media source can be relied on to tell you all of the problem areas where a school principal could be of service. What a fantastic contribution the Fordham Institute could make for America as you connect principals to all the organizations that need them! Surely, providing such a valuable resource must fall within the vision and mission of your organization.

Your report also pointed out that thousands of people study to learn what it takes to become a principal and then realize that they don't want any part of the job. This service would also allow their knowledge to be put to work.

Thanks for helping me to see that no matter how complex a problem might be, there is a solution right in front of our eyes.

Sincerely,

George Manthey (Former principal, but with your thoughtful assistance in career placement, soon to be an ambassador, governor, CEO or lieutenant colonel! Don't you agree that Sen. Manthey sounds especially right?)

George Manthey is a professional learning executive for ACSA.