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Illinois School Board Journal
March/April 2004

Superintendents offer wisdom of experience

by John J. Cassel

John J. Cassel, IASB Field Services Director for DuPage, North Cook and Starved Rock divisions, attended the recognition breakfast and compiled the comments for publication.

Throughout their years of service, school administrators amass a wealth of wisdom about how they do their jobs and how they interact with their communities. Those just embarking in the field or those with any number of years left before retirement can benefit when that wisdom is shared.

Last spring, seven superintendents retired from districts in DuPage County: Berardo DeSimone, Jerry Gordon, Pi Irwin, Tony Przeklasa, Bob Sabatino, Larry Weck and Don Weber. To honor these long-serving educational leaders, Lawrence Baskin, superintendent of Glen Ellyn CCSD 89 and chair of the DuPage Division of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), organized a breakfast.

For that event, Baskin interviewed each retiree and compiled their comments to share with the assembly. As a group, these superintendents represent 254 years of wisdom gained in the pursuit of excellence in public education and 123 years of superintendent experience.

The highlights of their comments are worth sharing.

What are the characteristics of great schools?

• People can walk into any classroom and observe children doing meaningful learning. Students are engaged and there is joy and contentment in learning.
• Students want to come to school each day. They just can't wait to get to school.
• When you go into the teachers' lounge, you note that the sports section is still tucked into the paper.
• Great schools have support from the community and support from the staff.
• Students are involved in community service.
• All students achieve to their abilities.

What are the characteristics of great leaders?

• Great leaders are willing to make a decision and plot a course of action.
• They don't know all the answers, but they permit good people to do what they do best.
• Great leaders plant seeds and let others grow with them.
• They have passion, leading to a vision. They also possess a sense of possibility.
• Great leaders have a clear focus for what can be accomplished.
• Great leaders have values that guide through transition.
• They have the ability to laugh at themselves.
• Great leaders have charisma.
• They are articulate and great communicators in many forms.
• Great leaders are collaborative, altruistic and honest. They care about people, especially those with whom they work.

What are the challenges ahead in public education?

• Helping everyone understand that financial matters run in cycles. "Don't lose sleep over it."
• Fostering a sense of the importance of education on the part of the general public.
• Finding ways to sustain programs for all of the children.
• Identifying and supporting the leaders of tomorrow.
• Implementing the provisions of No Child Left Behind.
• Attracting the best and brightest to the district and retaining them in the profession.

Counsel for new superintendents:

• Remain far more concerned about people than operational programs.
• You are embarking on a journey and have an opportunity to make a huge impact on the lives of kids and teachers.
• Be very clear about your goals. Guard your values.
• Acknowledge and honor the fact that school board members have a key role in school governance. Develop a professional relationship with each school board member. Clarify your separate roles and responsibilities.
• Network with your peers.
• While there are challenges, there are many rewards. Give and you will receive.
• Support your staff.

"What I'd like folks to say about me" (my legacy):

• That superintendent made a difference. Our district is a better place because he/she was here.
• That superintendent was positive with both students and staff.
• The kids really do learn and grow in our district.
• That superintendent really liked kids!
• That superintendent was a leader with conviction and compassion.
• That superintendent developed relationships and understanding among our publics.
• That superintendent was one who always had children in mind when decisions were made.

Those in public education, as well as the general public, owe a debt of gratitude to the committed men and women who have given their professional lives as teachers and administrators in service to children and the continuation of democracy.