SUPERINTENDENT OPENINGS MIRROR TREND

No less than five area superintendents are resigning at the end of the current school year. Is this an epidemic or a sign of the times?

The resignations mirror a statewide trend of superintendents packing their bags. Some change districts, hoping for greener pastures. Others get out of the business all together. For some, the lure of a an improved retirement system is driving job choices.

The Missouri Association of School Administrators is concerned by the flight of qualified superintendents to other fields.

Why are superintendents leaving? Expanded job duties, higher performance expectations and overall increased stress levels are just some of the factors cited by the state association.

Superintendents are certainly visible representatives of any school districts. But problems facing public education affect each and every staff member in some form or fashion.

Certainly frustrating must be the growing interference by the state and federal government in local school matters. The myriad of state and federal programs are tied to dollars that are often hard to pass up. But the dollars not only bring strings, but burgeoning paperwork. This is a special hardship for smaller districts that don't have the manpower to keep up with the rules and regulations.

Financial concerns also play into the frustrations. Budgets are always tight and securing additional dollars is typically an uphill battle -- no matter how worthwhile the cause.

Respect or lack of it enters into the atmosphere that operates in our schools.

Today there's a tendency to question any decision of authority. That has its good points and bad. School districts and many other public bodies are forced to make decisions by committee as a way to build consensus and avoid controversy. It's similar to politicians leading by polls.

That lack of respect for authority is evident in many students as well. Schools are evaluated on their dropout rates, so they are encouraged to keep even the most disruptive students enrolled. But at what cost does this influence the environment of students who are there to really learn?

Many of these troubled students have lack of parental support at home. And that just muddies the waters for teachers and administrators alike.

Sound leadership is vital to top-rate schools, city governments, universities, businesses -- the list is endless. It would be nice if 1999 could bring a more respectful and appreciative environment for leadership in general -- honorable men and women who serve local communities to make it a better place to work and live.

The five area superintendents who are leaving no doubt have a number of personal and professional reasons for their decisions. Area schools are certainly much improved over much larger districts where the problems of society are only magnified.

But few will disagree that the learning environment just isn't what it was 10, 20 or 30 years ago. The technological advances are amazing, but the scores of public school students and graduates are simply not keeping pace.

As individuals, we can have little impact on the red tape and bureaucracy that is strangling public schools. All we can do is encourage legislators to help improve the learning environment by reducing the rules and regulations, not adding to it.

Everyone can do their part to make the school environment a little better through increased parental and community involvement and support of teachers and administrators.

Thank an educator today. Such small gestures won't move mountains. But it may go a long way to rebuilding good feelings in our community schools.