Failing at Retirement
I really enjoyed Jan Harris’
“Failing at Retirement” in the November 2020 issue. Admittedly, I rarely read through entire articles,
BUT I READ THROUGH HER STORY TWICE! I found it so meaningful, I even reached out to the author to tell her so.
We are not happy if we are not somehow following God’s plan for us. The tough part is figuring out what that plan looks like in our workaday world. Harris’
COMPELLING AND PERSONAL INSIGHTS had all of that. As my own career winds down (or winds up?), I’m facing the same quandary, wondering what’s next. Her message reminded me to consult with God before doing too much planning.
JEFF HOESING
SUPERINTENDENT,
RANDOLPH PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
RANDOLPH, NEB.
I sure appreciated reading about
Jan Harris’ admitted failure! I too failed. After a 25-year career that culminated with serving as deputy state superintendent in Montana, I was able to draw full retirement income and became a Lutheran pastor. My retirement income was as much as my pastoral salary, so I was finally able financially to respond to this calling.
Two years later, COVID-19 changed my world as I was restricted from so much of my visitations and my job became much more remote. Then I received a call from a rural school just across the North Dakota border that was desperate for a part-time superintendent who had experience in rural settings. Neither the church nor the school have any set schedules for me (outside of Sunday mornings) so I’m able to create my own work schedule to meet the needs of both.
Harris’ depiction of the school board president praying for a leader has been part of my experience as well, and I truly see this as a secondary calling. The issues raised by COVID-19 create unique challenges, and I’ve been told that my experience helps me to be a calming factor in what’s a very stressful time. In addition, my work navigating through federal funds, operating budgets and grant support has been helpful as one after another COVID-19-related grant opportunity comes around.
Blessings on the recognition that we can never truly “retire.”
TIMOTHY W. THARP
SUPERINTENDENT/PRINCIPAL,
LONE TREE SCHOOL DISTRICT 6,
GOLVA, N.D.
I found it encouraging to
read about what Jan Harris considered her base — the Bible.
This is my 16th year as superintendent in a 300-student, rural school district in eastern Colorado and my 38th year working in education. A friend of mine retired five years ago after being our principal for 28 years. We had talked a few years earlier about how it would be good to take a year or two off and then possibly come back — similar to what Harris did. For several years, I worked with a multiyear, roll-over contract, but when my friend retired, I asked for a one-year contract and for both sides to proceed one year at a time.
Each year, my wife and I pray about it and so far have kept going. In the Book of Esther, it talks about “for such a time as this.” Every year there are more “for such a time as this” occasions.
Very much appreciated her article.
STEVE WILSON
SUPERINTENDENT,
BIG SANDY SCHOOLS 100J,
SIMLA, COLO.
I smiled throughout my reading of
Jan Harris’ personal narrative about failing at her attempt to retire. What a gift!
JOHN DRAPER
CONSULTANT,
NATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION,
BIRMINGHAM, ALA.
Starting Work in a Pandemic
Re
“In the Midst of Pandemic: Starting a New Superintendency” by Kimberly Reeves (November 2020):
I can totally relate to the circumstances of starting this job in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. I started my first superintendency on Nov. 1, 2020, and 10 days into my new job, I tested positive for COVID-19.
It’s always exciting to start a new job but getting COVID in the beginning was a significant challenge.
GREGORY J. PILEWSKI
SUPERINTENDENT,
NORTH LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT,
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK.
Search Advice
“Vigilance During the Superintendent Search” (November 2020) by Mark Benigni, Jan Perruccio and Fran Rabinowitz was an excellent article on the key points to consider when seeking a position as a superintendent.
When searching for a superintendency, it is imperative in today’s world to thoroughly research potential openings one may be interested in pursuing. The effects of the pandemic will certainly add a whole other twist to the job search and how districts look to recover from both the educational and financial effects.
I would add one other point to their list of things to consider — the impact of charter and cyber charter schools on a school district. I know from experience the financial impact on our district from both cyber and physical charter schools is approximately $2.4 million out of our approximately $40 million budget each year.
Kudos to the three authors for providing a guide to those looking to enter the superintendency.
JEFFREY S. ZWIEBEL
SUPERINTENDENT,
POTTSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT,
POTTSVILLE, PA.
I really loved
“Vigilance During the Superintendent Search” by Mark Benigni, Jan Perruccio and Fran Rabinowitz. A lot of it hit home with me as a new superintendent who was hired during the pandemic.
The 10 areas they address for those hoping to serve in a superintendency will certainly be something that I consider in my own personal future.
I am proud to be in “the Connecticut Superintendent Circle,” of which the three authors are part. Thank you to all of them for sharing their expertise with us.
VALERIE E. BRUNEAU
SUPERINTENDENT,
ANDOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT,
ANDOVER, CONN.
Mark Benigni, Jan Perruccio and Fran Rabinowitz delivered an awesome article:
“Vigilance During the Superintendent Search.” Such salient points to consider, especially knowing how important it is to find the best person for the top position of superintendent of schools.
E. MARIE MCPADDEN
DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT,
AMITY REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 5,
WOODBRIDGE, CONN.
The Act of Becoming
I immediately connected with Jill Baker in her earnest piece,
“The Act of Becoming” (November 2020). As a new superintendent in 2016, I had MUCH to become! However, last March, no matter how many years of experience one had accumulated, superintendents across the nation realized we were “becoming” someone new who required skills we weren’t certain we possessed.
For our students and our community, we reached far into our souls, as Baker describes, to get “comfortable with being uncomfortable.” The first year as superintendent is innately challenging, but making the decisions required during the pandemic while at the same time building the trust needed in such difficult times seems unthinkable. I, too, found videos effective in connecting with the community as there is no other medium that provides the comfort of a calm, confident voice as well as the sincerity of service in a misty eye.
Some might think a superintendent of a district of 70,000 students in California and a superintendent of 1,000 in Texas would have little in common. Yet, Baker and I share the understanding of Michelle Obama’s words that we each own a unique story, and it is our responsibility to use our authentic voice for our students’ wellness and academic success, particularly in the midst of a crisis.
Thank you for providing this inspiring message that joins us all in the act of becoming.
DEANN LEE
SUPERINTENDENT,
MILLSAP INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT,
MILLSAP, TEXAS
Moving to Higher Education
Merri Rosenberg’s article,
“From Superintendent to Professor” (November 2020), is a solid representation of the issues faced by superintendents (or any school leader) seeking to transition from K-12 to a faculty position in higher education.
As an opportunity for educators to use their K-12 knowledge to touch the lives of children, a faculty position in educational leadership shouldn’t be considered a capstone to a successful career as a superintendent but as a career in itself. For those superintendents contemplating such a career change, the article helps to frame the issues before making the leap.
JAMES BERRY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP,
YPSILANTI, MICH.