This time of Christmas Holidays is a good time to consider the responsibilities of the superintendent during holidays and breaks in the school calendar. Having worked in several different school districts varying in size and complexity, I feel qualified through experience to speak to this issue. As aspiring superintendents, or at least as aspiring superintendent certificate holders, it is important that each of you consider the demands of the job BEFORE you have an opportunity to seek such a position.
Most people, including many school district staff, believe that the superintendent and his staff are also on holiday during school holidays. In larger districts, in which many of the responsibilities can be delegated to other staff, the superintendent does have the luxury of enjoying some "down time" during school breaks or holidays...UNLESS a serious incident occurs at one of the schools or at a school event or, in some cases, incidents involving a school employee or even a student. In such instances, the media, the police, or family members may ask the superintendent for assistance...even though he/she is in the middle of a school holiday.
First, it is important to realize that school boards hire a superintendent to be the Chief Executive Officer of a school district 24/7 and 365 days/year. Certainly, superintendents usually have vacation days and the school calendar provides other days in which it is not necessary for the superintendent to be in his/her office. However, when a serious incident related to a school facility or school personnel occurs, it is usually best for the superintendent to be available to respond to such an incident.
In smaller districts, where "face time" is important, superintendents may feel the need to attend holiday basketball games or host a meal at a holiday basketball tournament or cheer on the band at a holiday parade. If a sprinkler pipe breaks in one of the high school gyms spraying water on the new wooden floor, the superintendent is probably not the first person who would need to respond. However, depending on the size of the district, the superintendent probably needs to be present as the district responds and would need to make the board aware of the incident.
If a staff member is involved in a high profile crime during the holidays, the superintendent may be contacted. This is especially true if the crime or incident is related in any way to students.
These thoughts are not intended to suggest that superintendents never get a vacation or time away from their responsibilities. However, they are intended to motivate future superintendent certificate holders to consider and be aware of the likelihood that your holiday plans may not be free from district responsibilities. A superintendent must be prepared to respond to district issues--even during the Christmas Holidays. Merry Christmas!
