Superintendent Interview
Overview
The assignment
Discuss and work with the superintendent on: district budget and negotiations, hiring and firing, the superintendent's influence on student sub-groups (special populations), community outreach (town council, PTA, etc.), classroom visits, and tenure review.
Guiding Questions
From the module's Perspective section. Expand a question to see where the answer goes.
1What behaviors and answers have you seen that reflect successful district leadership, especially forecasting, planning, and communicating with boards, students, staff, parents, and the community?
To addAnswer to guiding question 1 (Task 3): What behaviors and answers have you seen that reflect successful district leadership, especially forecasting, planning, and communicating with boards, students, staff, parents, and the community?
People and Process
People involvedSuperintendent, Assistant Superintendent.
Role titles only; no names beyond the mentor.
ProcessMeet with both for an interview built on the questions.
The Interview
Ten questions submitted in Module 4. Expand a question to add response notes.
Date
To addInterview date
Location
To addInterview location
Interviewed
To addInterview: superintendent or designee (title only)
Format
To addInterview: in person, video, or phone
1BudgetWalk me through your process for developing the annual budget. How do you set parameters with the Board, and how do district goals shape your priorities before the numbers are finalized?
Response notes
To addResponse notes for question 1 (Budget).
2BudgetGiven ongoing state and federal pressures, what strategies have you used to protect classroom instruction and student services when cuts are avoidable?
Response notes
To addResponse notes for question 2 (Budget).
3NegotiationsWhat is your role during collective bargaining, and how do you balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining staff morale and trust throughout that process?
Response notes
To addResponse notes for question 3 (Negotiations).
4Hiring / FiringDescribe your recruitment and hiring process. How do you ensure the district attracts and selects well-qualified candidates for both instructional and administrative positions?
Response notes
To addResponse notes for question 4 (Hiring / Firing).
5Hiring / FiringCan you walk me through how you handle a situation where a staff member's performance is not meeting expectations, from initial concern to potential separation?
Response notes
To addResponse notes for question 5 (Hiring / Firing).
6Student Sub-GroupsHow do you monitor the achievement of specific student sub-groups (for example special education, English language learners, economically disadvantaged students), and what actions have you initiated when data reveals a gap?
Response notes
To addResponse notes for question 6 (Student Sub-Groups).
7Community OutreachHow do you communicate district plans, events, and challenges to the broader community, and how do you create opportunities for residents to share their views on school-related matters?
Response notes
To addResponse notes for question 7 (Community Outreach).
8Community OutreachDescribe a time you had to manage a difficult relationship with local media or a community group. How did you approach it?
Response notes
To addResponse notes for question 8 (Community Outreach).
9Classroom ObservationsWhat is your personal practice around visiting classrooms and observing instruction, and how does what you see inform your recommendations on curriculum, professional development, or program changes?
Response notes
To addResponse notes for question 9 (Classroom Observations).
10Tenure ProcessWalk me through the process and criteria you use when deciding whether to recommend a teacher for tenure. Who is involved, and what evidence carries the most weight?
Response notes
To addResponse notes for question 10 (Tenure Process).
Evidence and Artifacts
Cards with a file or link open in a viewer. Dashed cards show what still needs to be added.
To add
Interview notes or summary of answers
Notes or a summary of the superintendent's answers to the 10 questions.
NotesDate: TBD
To add
Reflection
Written reflection on the interview (also in the Reflection section).
PDFDate: TBD
PSEL Connection
How the evidence on this page meets each tagged standard.
PSEL 3Equity and Cultural Responsiveness
To addTask 3, PSEL 3: 2 to 3 sentences on how the evidence meets "Equity and Cultural Responsiveness".
PSEL 6Professional Capacity of School Personnel
To addTask 3, PSEL 6: 2 to 3 sentences on how the evidence meets "Professional Capacity of School Personnel".
PSEL 8Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community
To addTask 3, PSEL 8: 2 to 3 sentences on how the evidence meets "Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community".
PSEL 9Operations and Management
To addTask 3, PSEL 9: 2 to 3 sentences on how the evidence meets "Operations and Management".
Reflection
Prompt: Which answers or behaviors reflected successful district leadership, especially in forecasting, planning, and communicating with boards, students, staff, parents, and the community?
To addTask 3 reflection: Which answers or behaviors reflected successful district leadership, especially in forecasting, planning, and communicating with boards, students, staff, parents, and the community?
Rubric note: Reflection should analyze, not just describe.