Two Superintendents, One Home

School Administrator, March, 2000 by Priscilla Pardini

George's first superintendency took him back to Kansas City. Mary's landed her in Clinton, Iowa. With their five children grown, they bought a house in Kansas City and rented an apartment in Clinton. They invested in two of everything--from ironing boards to microwaves. And for four years they took turns commuting on weekends.

"It was fun, actually," Mary states. "Every other weekend we'd participate in events in each other's district."

Their gasoline bills were eclipsed only by their phone bills. They talked every day, sometimes about their jobs. But even in those early years as superintendents they rarely gave each other advice. "Mostly, we'd listen to each other," Mary says. "We each like to resolve our own issues."

In 1991, after deciding they wanted to be in one place, they made their next move--to Arizona, where George had been named the superintendent in Tucson. Several months later, Mary landed a job as deputy associate superintendent with the Arizona Department of Education in Phoenix, 120 miles north. This time, Mary did the commuting.

But within two years, Mary became associate superintendent in the Sunnyside Unified School District adjacent to Tucson, and for the first time in nine years, the couple was living and working in the same town, Mary was subsequently appointed interim superintendent and, in 1994, Sunnyside's superintendent.

Parallel Recognition

Known as Tucson's "education power couple," the Garcias share a commitment to urban education. "But we don't spend a lot of time talking about it at home," Mary insists. "Just long hours working at it," adds George.

They describe their leadership styles as decidedly different. "I'm more hands on," Mary explains. "I delegate more," responds George. That's partly a function of the size of their districts: 15,000 students in hers, 63,000 in his. Her accomplishments include increasing standardized test scores and promoting technology in the classroom. He is credited with strengthening ties between schools and local businesses and with implementing programs that have reduced minority dropout rates.

Their work has earned them accolades. The Pima Community College Foundation recognized them jointly in 1998 for their work as superintendents. That same year, George was named Arizona's Superintendent of the Year. The next year, Mary was named All-Arizona Superintendent for Large Districts. In 1997, George received the University of Arizona's Distinguished Community Service Award. Mary received the same honor in December.

When they aren't working, the Garcias like to travel and dance. They say the only disadvantage of being a superintendent couple is the logistical challenge that comes with career moves. They consider themselves fortunate to have been able to spend the last nine years in the same town. Says George: "Tucson has been good to us. We've been able to maintain our support and carry out our missions here for a relatively long period of time."

-- Priscilla Pardini

A Roster of Multiple-Superintendent Families