Human connections - Editor's Note - Editorial

School Administrator, Feb, 2003 by Jay P. Goldman

I'm no historian of public education in this country, but I'm betting there's never I been a more taxing time to work as a school superintendent than the present.

For that reason, the personal relationships that school system administrators establish and maintain with their staff members, parents, community and school board members have never been more paramount to their success leading the educational enterprise. This month's issue includes several treatments of that order.

Michael Weber, superintendent in Port Washington, Wash., describes some ways for dealing with negativism (page 6), and Todd Whitaker, a professor who has written several books on the topic, discusses strategies for coping with difficult people on the job (page 12). Robert Klempen, a consultant, details the efforts of three superintendents to bring level-headedness to divisive situations in their districts (page 18), while Al Holliday, the long-time editor of the leading school public relations journal, offers a succinct overview of his favorite low-cost communications ideas (page 32).

Two other features tackle the agonizing decisions facing school leaders on snow days and teacher dress. Anyone who has ever needed to close schools because of a winter storm will appreciate the personal insights and humor of Randy Dewar and Jack Turcotte, two veterans of stormy days (page 26). And in our final piece, "Attending to Teacher Attire," education writer Ruth Sternberg looks at the bold efforts of some school districts and their leaders to publicly address the choice of work clothes favored by Generation X teachers (page 38).

Plenty to consider here. I'll welcome reactions from readers.

Jay P. Goldman

Voice: 703-875-0745

E-mail: jgoldman@aasa.org