Interview Questions – Superintendent

1.	What are your strengths and weaknesses? strength – relate to, work with people; weakness – delegating to others.

2.	How would students describe you? don’t know what he does; he smiles

3.	How do you measure school success?  test scores, responsible in budget/fiscal areas; who is running for the school board

4.	What has been your greatest challenge as an administrator? maintaining a sound school/district with a declining budget.

5.	What has been your greatest achievement as an administrator?  turned around the last district he was at; it was listed as one of the top 10 small schools in academic improvement; formerly provisionally accredited with no technology, poor building maintenance, weak academics.

6.	What factors must be considered when trying to raise student achievement?  test scores curriculum – what are teachers teaching, parent involvement.

7.	What factors would you consider in hiring a teacher for your building?  experience, references, length of stay in one school; beginning teacher personality, questions, student teaching

8.	What personal qualities are important for a teacher? work ethic, showing up for work, performance in classroom, getting along as a team player, common sense, parental relationships.
9.	How would you confront a teacher about a negative behavior? private, closed door, talk/suggest improvements; serious problem a written warning.

10.	What would you do if a teacher was having a great deal of difficulty with instructing or managing his/her classroom? offer ideas, advice.

11.	What is your philosophy on student discipline? good discipline is necessary so that all students can’t learn; place serious offenders in ISS, OSS.

12.	How do you feel about delegating duties? feels guilty about giving work to others, but knows subordinates need to get involved.

13.	Do you prefer to make decisions yourself or take continual input from teachers?  get input, but make final decisions.

14.	How do you involve teachers in the decision making process? small groups, school improvement teams, CSIP committee

15.	Do you have an open door policy for staff? yes 

16.	What do you think about character education programs? good, but cautious about backlash from parents for overstepping boundaries of home, moral issues. 

17.	What are your views of staff development activities?  good if properly planned for good, useful, productive, comprehensive with follow up, not a one time fun workshop.

18.	Is it important to you that people like you? not very, don’t base decisions on it.

19.	What is your view of the future of education? short term is grim; past ten years a lot of improvement, but going backwards now; legislators talk, need to work together; we know more now – research is better.

Reflection:  

The superintendent is open and honest about his philosophy, He is interested in improving the overall health of the district, financial as well as academics and public perception.  He believes that teachers need to show responsibility, commitment, and perform productively.  The superintendent show characteristics of being an efficient, quality-minded leader.