Politics first: Examining the practices of the multi-district superintendent

Abstract

Over the past decade, multiple states have implemented a form of regional school district consolidation referred to as multi-district unions. Their organizational structure enables districts to retain individual school boards within regional local education agencies, all of which are overseen by a superintendent and a central board. However, no empirical research has been conducted to date on the ensuing work of multi-district superintendents. In our exemplary case study, we analyze time records, interviews, and observations to understand the role allocations and work of one multidistrict superintendent. We find the division of time and ensuing responsibilities of the multi-district superintendent is predominantly political to the organizational structure of the union, and we conclude with implications for policy and practice. Keywords: multi-district superintendent; superintendent; school board; multi-district union; joint union; regionalization; consolidation; rural schools; local control; case study Iniciativas políticas: Examinando las prácticas de múltiples distritos superintendentesResumen: A lo largo de la última década, varios estados han implementado una forma de consolidación regional del distrito escolar referida como sindicatos multi-distritales. Su estructura organizativa permite que los distritos regulen consejos escolares individuales en las agencias regionales de educación local, todos supervisados por un superintendente y un consejo central. Sin embargo, ninguna investigación empírica se ha realizado hasta el momento sobre el trabajo posterior de los superintendentes de múltiples distritos. En nuestro estudio de caso ejemplar, analizamos registros de tiempo, entrevistas y observaciones para entender las asignaciones de funciones y el trabajo de un superintendente de múltiples distritos. Creemos que la división del tiempo y las responsabilidades subsiguientes del superintendente de múltiples distritos es predominantemente política para la estructura organizativa de la unión y concluimos con implicaciones para políticas y prácticas. Palabras clave: múltiple distrito superintendente; superintendente; unión de múltiples distritos; unión común; regionalización; consolidación; escuelas rurales; control local; estudio de caso Iniciativas políticas: Examinando as práticas de múltiplos distritos superintendentes Resumo: Ao longo da última década, vários estados implementaram uma forma de consolidação regional do distrito escolar referida como sindicatos multi-distritais. A sua estrutura organizacional permite que os distritos regulem conselhos escolares individuais nas agências regionais de educação local, todos supervisionados por um superintendente e um conselho central. No entanto, nenhuma pesquisa empírica foi realizada até o momento sobre o trabalho subsequente dos superintendentes de múltiplos distritos. Em nosso estudo de caso exemplar, analisamos registros de tempo, entrevistas e observações para entender as alocações de funções e o trabalho de um superintendente de múltiplos distritos...

Banishing “Siberia” and Student Seclusion: Leading Trauma-Informed Systems Change in a Rural School

“…One outcome of this reality is that faculty and leaders are often asked to wear many hats as they take on responsibilities that would be spread out among a larger staff (Copeland, 2013; Hall & McHenry-Sorber, 2017). A typical rural teacher, for example, might teach a grade level, run an afterschool program, facilitate the food pantry program, and lead staff development.…”

Metaphors of Place-Conscious Leadership in the Multidistrict Superintendency: Negotiating Tensions of Place-Consciousness and District-Wide Goal Attainment

“…John worked with the central board and each local board, 3 a typical multidistrict union structure. This organizational structure significantly alters the role of the superintendent, who attends up to 30 board meetings per week, from the work of more typical American single-district superintendents (Hall & McHenry-Sorber, 2017). John notes the organizational structure “makes no sense to anybody coming from (a singular board) system.” 4…”

“…While multidistrict unions may seem anachronistic to urban and suburban districts, they have become more common in rural regions in recent decades. The governance structures are located primarily in the northeast and Midwest regions of the United States (Hall & McHenry-Sorber, 2017), with dual aims of academic and economic efficiency (Fairman & Donis-Keller, 2012; Jones & Howley, 2009). 5 In these regions, local boards retain some control over district governance, including budgeting, policy making, and facilities management (Fairman & Donis-Keller, 2012; Hall, 2016).…”

“…5 In these regions, local boards retain some control over district governance, including budgeting, policy making, and facilities management (Fairman & Donis-Keller, 2012; Hall, 2016). Although this research is situated in Vermont, the SU is similar to regional districts in Maine and Massachusetts (Hall & McHenry-Sorber, 2017).…”

“…The work of MDSs may significantly differ from their single-district colleagues (Hall & McHenry-Sorber, 2017). However, there is a paucity of research on multidistrict unions and, thus, MDSs.…”