Alternatives to the Superintendency

Legal Brief

During my lifetime, never has there been a time when leadership in public education has been questioned, challenged and criticized more than during the COVID-19 pandemic. In times like these, it is inevitable that the structure and existence of top leadership positions are questioned.

Is there a better leadership structure or an alternative to school leadership other than the superintendency? I struggle with the answer because of my love and admiration of those whom I have had the pleasure to work with over 20 years. While the task was to seek, explore and/or find alternatives, my conclusion remains the same: Nothing can replace a tried and true leader at the top regardless of whether the title is superintendent or some variation.

In Illinois, the School Code’s Section 10/21-4 dictates each school district “employ a superintendent, who shall have charge of the administration of the schools under the direction of the board of education.” In the past 15 years, this section has been challenged as to whether it requires school districts to employ a full-time individual at the helm. The overwhelming interpretation is that each school district must have a superintendent, but it is undefined whether that individual should be full-time or part-time.