School Administrator: April 2019

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Education Leader and Security Professional
BY SUSAN VICKERS
A small-town superintendent, confident in instructional matters, asks aloud: Since when did my job make me the expected expert on all things safety related

Self-care in the Aftermath of Crisis
BY C.J. HUFF
The author, a former superintendent, admits to learning to deal with “the best and the worst of myself” following a killer tornado in his school system.

• Richard Asbill: Taking on FEMA for mitigation funds

Mobilizing Community Resources
BY PETER W. PILLSBURY SR. AND RICHARD A. LOVEALL
After a fatal shooting and hostage crisis inside their California high school, the authors discovered the value of integrating the affairs of home, school and community.

Sworn to Serve and Protect
BY BARBARA K. MICHELMAN
As safety concerns mount, the expectations escalate for school resource officers to be a more present and positive force in K-12 schools.

• Legal guidance on using school resource officers
• Joseph Meloche: The deliberate act to arm school police

Soft and Safe School Design
BY B. KARINA RUIZ
How did a Texas superintendent apply his understanding of Baldrige quality protocols to continuous growth in his large suburban school district?

• Joseph Erardi Jr.: The rebuilding of Sandy Hook
• AASA’s safety toolkit and hotline

A Holistic Approach to School Safety
BY CHRISTINE A. EITH AND KENNETH S. TRUMP
The possibilities and practicalities of balancing a school’s metal detectors and mental detectors.

• School lockdowns: Differing views over what works

STARTING POINT
A small-town superintendent wonders how she can become an expert on school security too.

STATE OF THE SUPERINTENDENCY
Board Emphasis
What school boards most want their superintendents to emphasize in their roles.

BEST OF THE BLOGS
Excerpts of four reflective postings by superintendents.

ETHICAL EDUCATOR
Advocating Arts or Athletics?
The school board splits its vote on what to cut in a budget shortfall, turning to the superintendent to make the call.

SOCIAL MEDIA
A Tweet Mightier Than the Sword
BY WALTER G. JACKSON
The superintendent’s use of social media shows “hip” leadership to millennials and young families.

LEGAL BRIEF
Pratfalls of Electronic Communication
BY SARA BOUCEK
Stemming senseless behavior of the adults when using district e-mail.

BOARD-SAVVY SUPERINTENDENT
Changing Mindsets, Changing Adult Behaviors
BY MARCIA McMAHON
Turning a board meeting of information into a meeting of action toward student results.

MY VIEW
Our Words Matter
BY PETER C. BLAKE
The time is right to challenge coarse and vulgar language of others when it causes hurt and harm.

OUR VIEW
Scaling Innovation by Charting, Not Choosing
BY BETH RABBITT AND ELLIE AVISHAI
District profiles may differ, but their leaders face similar strategic challenges when implementing districtwide change.

FOCUS: STUDENT LITERACY
Engagement That Boosts Student Reading
BY MICHAEL A. POORE
Little Rock, Ark., superintendent’s three goals for lifting student literacy.

Reading & Resources

• Book Reviews
• Why I Wrote This Book...
• Bits & Pieces

 

  

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Always Being Prepared
BY CHRISTOPHER O. GAINES
AASA’s president draws on his years in Boy Scouting to keep safety and security foremost.

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE
AASA’s Rapid Response in Crisis Moments
BY DANIEL A. DOMENECH
The association’s investment in helping leaders deal with catastrophic moments.

PEOPLE WATCH
Our monthly status check on appointments and retirements.

PROFILE: Julie Kraemer
BY LIZ GRIFFIN
A superintendent in rural Illinois becomes a cop to protect “my kids.”