Superintendent’s Rulebook

Patrick Darfler-Sweeney is a retired Superintendent of Schools of the Hunter-Tannersville CSD, New York, and an Adjunct Instructor for SUNY Oneonta, USA.

• ContentsMeet the AuthorPrefaceAcknowledgementsPart 1 Human ResourcesChapter 1 Tone & ClimateChapter 2 Labor Relations/NegotiationsChapter 3 80-90% On Site-Time CommitmentChapter 4 Secretaries, Support StaffChapter 5 Discipline Chapter 6 Accountability/EvaluationChapter 7 Facilities ManagementPart 2 Political RealitiesChapter 8 Building the Relationship with BOE/TrusteesChapter 9 Training BOE/Trustees MembersChapter 10 Your Marriage with the BOE/TrusteesChapter 11 Live by the News, Die in the NewsChapter 12 Know Who You Answer To and To Whom You are Charged to Guide and KNOW the Difference Chapter 13 Everything CountsChapter 14 All Politics is Local/All Education is Local, Until the State Says It Isn’tChapter 15 Never Become a CrusaderChapter 16 Developing Your NetworkChapter 17 InterviewingChapter 18 Public Information CenterPart 3 LighthouseChapter 19 Leadership FitnessChapter 20 Logic Means Nothing, B.F. Skinner Had it Right!Chapter 21 Learn and Understand the 20-60-20 Scale RuleChapter 22 Be PatientChapter 23 Do Your Homework, and, Keep Your Eye on the BallChapter 24 Web 0.0 to 2.0 & BeyondChapter 25 Educating in the Digital WorldChapter 26 Learning is MessyChapter 27 Quality of LifeAdditional Resources

“The role of the superintendent is multi-faceted and probably more complicated now than ever before. The good news is that they now have a rulebook! Patrick Sweeney provides leaders with rules to live by and learn from, and having been in the role for many years, he understands the life of a superintendent better than most.”Peter DeWitt, Consultant and Author of “Education Week” blog Finding Common Ground“The Superintendent's Rulebook is a must read for anyone who works in public education. Not only does it provide valuable information to those thinking about the superintendency as a career, but it also provides insight into the day-to-day thinking of a school superintendent. In this day and age, when understanding each other is so vital, the book provides a blueprint to understand the complex job of school superintendent.”Charles S. Dedrick, Executive Director, New York State Council of School Superintendents"Darfler-Sweeney connects with readers by providing personal information. At times, it seems as if one is sitting down with a mentor for a cup of coffee. Wherever district leaders may be in the sojourn toward the superintendency, this book offers reasonable insight into the challenges that are likely to be faced."Lisa M. Antunes, assistant superintendent, Hillsborough Township School District, Hillsborough, N.J., School Administrator magazine