An analysis of the functional tasks of superintendents of selected school districts in Indiana based on student average daily membership

• Main Author: O'Neal, William E.
• Other Authors: Snyder, Jack F.
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: School superintendents > Indiana.; School management and organization > Indiana.
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/179249; http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/415374

The purpose of the study was to investigate the differences that exist between school board members and superintendents in perceiving the role of the superintendent.The following null hypothesis was tested:No statistically significant difference exists in the perceptions held by superintendents and school board members of the functional tasks of Indiana superintendents in school systems of similar size.ProcedureOf the 306 school districts in existence in the State of Indiana in 1973-74, 150 were randomly selected to be included in the study. The 150 school districts were divided into two groups, with the division based upon average daily membership of all students attending school in the district during 1973-74. A questionnaire was developed to secure responses from school board members and superintendents pertaining to perceptions of functional tasks performed by school superintendents in Indiana. Superintendents participating in the study were also asked to provide demographic data. A chi-square test was used for each of the 107 responses on the questionnaire to determine differences in perceptions of superintendents and school board members.FindingsSelected findings were summarized from the questionnaire sent to school board members and superintendents:1. Superintendents from large school districts delegate more responsibility than superintendents from small school districts.2. Superintendents and school board members from small school districts and large school districts differ greatest in perception of functional tasks pertaining to finance and business management.3. The highest level of agreement existed between superintendents and school board members from small and large school districts in the perception of functional tasks in the areas of pupil personnel and school plant operation.4. The majority of salaries of superintendents from both large and small school districts fell in the range from $20-25,000 in 1973-74.5. Over twenty-five per cent of responding large school districts paid the superintendent more than $30,000 in 1973-74, while no small school district superintendent received as much as $30,000 during the same period.Conclusions1. No significant differences exist in the perceptions held by superintendents and school board members of the functional tasks ofthe superintendent within the school district.2. Superintendents and school board members from school districts of similar size generally agree on the types of functions to be performed by the superintendents in the district.3. Superintendents from large districts have assistants to whom responsibility is delegated, while superintendents from small school districts function in practically all administrative categories.4. Large school districts tend to seek the employment of a superintendent with more educational background than those sought in small school districts.5. Both large and small school districts seek to employ a superintendent whose major area of training at the graduate level is in administration and supervision.Recommendations1. The superintendent and school board members should agree upon a set of functional tasks to be performed by the superintendent in the district.2. Forums and workshops should be conducted to assist both school board members and superintendents in knowing respective responsibilities.3. The superintendent and school board members should analyze the need for assistants at the central office level.4. A study of the salaries of superintendents should be conducted every five years.5. A study pertaining to the functional tasks of superintendents of Indiana should be conducted every five years.3. Superintendents from large districts have assistants to whom responsibility is delegated, while superintendents from small school districts function in practically all administrative categories.4. Large school districts tend to seek the employment of a superintendent with more educational background than those sought in small school districts.5. Both large and small school districts seek to employ a superintendent whose major area of training at the graduate level is in administration and supervision.Recommendations1. The superintendent and school board members should agree upon a set of functional tasks to be performed by the superintendent in the district.2. Forums and workshops should be conducted to assist both school board members and superintendents in knowing respective responsibilities.3. The superintendent and school board members should analyze the need for assistants at the central office level.4. A study of the salaries of superintendents should be conducted every five years.5. A study pertaining to the functional tasks of superintendents of Indiana should be conducted every five years.