Cultivating Our Future Leadership

A call to strengthen and diversify the pipeline of future superintendents. Superintendent & AASA Past President, Questar III BOCES in Castleton, N.Y.

The superintendency is perhaps one of the most challenging and dynamic roles in education. In recent years, our colleagues have faced numerous challenges that have disrupted operations and the stability of district leadership nationally.

Research from The Superintendent Lab at the University of Texas at Austin is jarring:

44.4 percent of school districts nationally have seen a superintendent departure since 2019-20.
13.8 percent of districts experienced two superintendent departures,
three percent had three or more departures.

Within my educational service agency in upstate New York,

14 of 22 districts, or 63.6 percent, lost a superintendent since 2019-20.
Forty-one percent of districts saw the exit of two or more superintendents
18 percent had three or more leave.

Author's summary: Strengthening the pipeline of future superintendents is crucial.

AASA, The School Superintendents Association — 2025-10-29

Cultivating Our Future Leadership

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