AASA members - American Association of School Administrators

School Administrator, Feb, 2000

This spring, AASA members will be asked to vote for one of two candidates for president-elect and two of five candidates to fill upcoming vacancies on the Executive Committee. To help members become more informed on the views of those running for office, Leadership News asked the candidates to provide a 100-word response to the following two-part question: What is the greatest challenge facing superintendents currently? How can AASA help education leaders meet this challenge?

Below are their responses.

President-Elect

(Two candidates; One open seat)

MARLENE C. HOLAYTER

DON HOOPER

Achieving unprecedented academic excellence for all students in the face of parent frustration, violence, racism, strained finances and unfunded mandates. The challenges of pressure, competition and accountability on all fronts from the national, state and local level creates conflicts arising from the larger society and in individual communities about the ability of the superintendent to shape education so that all students will achieve. As the national advocate for excellence in public schools and the advocate for individual student and societal success, AASA must continue to engage all administrators to keep them at the forefront as true leaders of public education.

Dealing with governance issues as we face accountability for student success. AASA needs to tackle this issue overtly by pressing for legislative relief that provides for oversight without meddling. AASA needs to vociferously assert in its publications that the superintendent is the educational leader and chief executive officer of the school and, as such, must be given free rein to set programs in place to address the needs of students. We must be able to move students to ever-higher standards of performance without the hindrance of political whims of individual board members getting in the way.

Executive Committee

(Two candidates; One open seat)

MARY F. BARTER

Our greatest challenge is preparing students for success in a new century with unknown challenges. We must direct instruction, and our resources, in new ways that will advantage all children and stand the test of time and public accountability Through research AASA can help predict the future. Through collaboration and sharing of best practices AASA can help focus instruction in cost-effective ways. Through coordinated regional and national initiatives AASA can direct legislation toward worthy and attainable goals. Through the power of its national voice AASA can provide a clear vision of the value of public education in a democracy.

DAVID E. GEE

A combination of issues, all revolving around higher expectations for the performance of public school students, poses the greatest challenge to superintendents today Changes in education are taking place at such a rapid pace that it is easy to lose focus on what's really important - the children. The rush to meet higher standards, to give rigorous standardized tests, to offer vouchers and to create charter schools all demand that AASA be the strong voice that shapes this nation's agenda on education and defends our public schools from superficial criticism. Effective and strong leadership is the best way to ensure that all schools meet higher standards.

JOHN W. JORDAN

The greatest challenge currently facing superintendents is the growing distrust and discount, by some community members, of the value and worth of children. AASA can help its members meet this challenge by maintaining an aggressive legislative lobby and by providing administrators with information to offset the negative image that has been established in relation to the school violence issues of the past three years.

In Search of Humor

The School Administrator publishes a monthly back-page humor column, "Leadership Lite," and is eager for your stories. The magazine is seeking short, humorous anecdotes that relate to a telling aspect of life in educational administration. Anecdotes should be based on your own experience -- something you've seen or heard - in a university classroom, school setting, administrative office, school board meeting, etc.

The magazine staff is willing to send out samples of recent "Leadership Lite" pages to spark your creative thinking. Contact the staff at The School Administrator, 1801 N. Moore St., Arlington Va. 22209 or via e-mail at magazine@assa.org

DONALD L. KUSSMAUL LLOYD W. SNOW

Becoming the community's educational leader is an enormous challenge. One must foster a vision representative of the community, whether rural, suburban or urban, that has a global focus; builds on the diversity, shared cultures and values of the community; and views all community members as lifelong learners. Being able to manage and direct such a vision requires a re-emphasis on democracy that values change, dissent, variety and talents for learning beyond the typical classroom. The challenge for AASA will be to serve as the hub for professional development to meet the diverse needs of the educational leaders of the country